Schools are top of the class
Inspectors praise children’s progress
Hard-working pupils and staff from two West Lothian primary schools were celebrating good report cards.
both Whitdale primary and Early Years Centre in Whitburn and Windyknowe primary School and Nursery in bathgate were praised by education inspectors recently.
Education Scotland highlighted a number of key strengths at both schools and praised staff.
pupils from Whitdale primary (pictured) were delighted with their report.
Two West Lothian schools are celebrating after getting gold stars for their hard work.
Whitdale Primary and Early Years Centre in Whitburn has been praised by Education Scotland inspectors, along with Windyknowe Primary School and Nursery in Bathgate.
Both were said to provide caring and nurturing environments that allowed children to flourish.
Inspectors highlighted a number of key strengths at Windyknowe Primary School.
They said the headteacher and senior leaders had a “relentless focus on improving outcomes” for all children at the school, adding it had a mutually respectful and caring ethos and that the children are developing a clear understanding of themselves as learners.
To further improve inspectors indicated a couple of points that the school should look to develop.
Senior leaders and staff should continue to develop ways of tracking and monitoring children’s progress across the curriculum to raise attainment further and teachers and practitioners should continue to ensure children understand the skills they are developing across their learning, both in and out of school.
Windyknowe Primary School headteacher Rita Angus said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of our recent inspection from Education Scotland.
“At Windyknowe we work tirelessly to try and help our children reach their full potential whilst learning in an inclusive and caring environment.”
Meanwhile, Whitdale Primary and Early Years Centre was praised for being very good for ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion.
Inspectors singled out a number of key strengths, including the high quality learning experiences in the Early Years Centre, particularly their use of the outdoor environment.
Strategies to improve children’s outcomes in literacy and English and numeracy and mathematics were praised, as was staff and nursery practitioners’ support for children with additional support needs, including those for whom English is an additional language.
Children’s skills in digital literacy and their use of digital technologies to enhance their learning across the school and nursery was also a highlight.
To further improve, inspectors said the school should continue to work on continuing to improve learning and teaching and assessment and continue to develop the curriculum to ensure it is relevant to the children of Whitburn.
It should also continue to promote progressive learning across all areas and review the school’s approaches to play-based teaching methods to ensure that children continue to make progress in their learning across the early level.
Whitdale Primary School acting headteacher, Lynn Findlay said: “As a school we are delighted that the inspection team recognised the hard work of staff to support all of our children right through from our Early Years Centre to our primary pupils.”
Executive councillor for education, David Dodds, congratulated both schools on their achievements.
He said: “Well done to everyone at Windyknowe Primary School.
“It is clear that staff at the school have developed an approach which engages pupils across the school and strives to continuously improve outcomes.
“It’s evident that there is a great deal of support and care for everyone at Whitdale and I have the utmost confidence that staff will continue to provide a fantastic learning environment for pupils.”