Bumper year for Arran primary schools
A total of 40 P1 pupils have swelled the numbers of pupils across Arran’s seven primary schools with this year’s new intake.
With an increase of 10 pupils from last year’s figures, the healthy intake is not far off the 2016 record when 44 pupils started their school careers on the island.
The largest intake of pupils was at Lamlash where 16 enthusiastic new faces joined the school where P1 teachers Alison Henderson and Rachel Ostridge reported that all the pupils were settling into school routine nicely.
Brodick received the next highest intake with eight pupils, who joined teachers Claire Scott and Kirsten Picken. Last year they welcomed 17 new pupils, including a set of triplets.
Whiting Bay had three boys and one girl start their schooling with school-stalwart Fiona Yates commenting on how well they had already blended in, adding that there were ‘no tears this year’.
Compared to their single pupil last year, Shiskine Primary was delighted to welcome six new P1 pupils, three girls and three boys. Also only welcoming one last year, Corrie teacher Lindsay Todd saw their annual intake double with one boy and one girl, both of whom reported that they liked school because they were having ‘lots of fun’.
Over in Pirnmill last year’s two P1s helped to make their only newcomer this year feel very welcome. The new P1 pupil sat in her class and engaged with fellow pupils confidently as if she had been there for years.
Note: Owing to a new GDPR policy adopted by Arran schools, no pupils’ names have been included in the captions.