Glowing report in just five years

Park View’s inspection result delights

A Cambuslang school, which opened less than five years ago has received a glowing report from inspectors.

Park View Primary in Halfway welcomed its first pupils in August 2013.

In that time it has seen the school roll increase from just 51 pupils to 181 as it becomes an integral part of the local community.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIe) arrived in October to inspect the facility, and have now released their findings.

They graded the school ‘very good’ for their self-evaluation for selfimprovement and ‘good’ for raising attainment and achievement.

Park View Primary was found to have “very successfully” involved parents, children and partners in selfevaluation and school improvement.

And inspectors noticed pupils were happy, confident children who showed pride in their school and enthusiastically engaged with their learning.

Head teacher Maria Speirs, who has been at the school since it opened, was delighted with the report.

She said: “It’s a real testament to the hard work put in by everybody since the school opened.

“When the school first opened we only had 51 pupils and was the first school South Lanarkshire Council had created in decades. This was the first time HMIe had visited so we are really pleased.

“We have successfully established a brand new school and we are all very proud of what we have achieved together in a short space of time. Everyone is so pleased that this has been recognised by HMIe.”

Primary five pupil Ava added: “Park View is the best school ever. It has wonderful teachers. I love it.”

Rev Neil Glover, former school chaplain, congratulated Park View and said: “The report was proper recognition of the superb pastoral work being done in the school and the way that it functions as a place for nurturing young people. It was also good to see Mrs Speirs’ leadership being commended.”

It was a double celebration for Park View last week when they attained their Eco Green Flag award.

Park View Primary’s eco committee were commended for their efforts towards taking care of the environment in and around their school.

Ms Laura Morley led the initiative which saw pupils take part in a variety of projects to secure the flag.

Ms Speirs revealed it was an award they had sought since opening the school in 2013. “It is a big achievement,” she said. “When we opened we were very ambitious and this was one that we wanted to get along with getting the good HMIe report, and a sportscotland gold award.

“It was about recycling in general, being environmentally friendly, picking up litter, taking care of the environment and we held an eco fashion show. The eco committee meet on a monthly basis and work together which has been great to see.”

It’s a real testament to the hard work put in by everyone