Newmains Primary School received improved marks from HM Inspectors after a recent visit, but they also identified several areas for further improvement.
Key strengths identified
Inspectors found that the school has made continuous improvements since their previous visit. Key strengths included staff creating a nurturing and inclusive school environment, children being welcoming, polite, friendly and proud of their school, and senior staff using their knowledge to provide well-planned support which is helping children to experience success.
The inspectors' report states: “Relationships across the school are very positive and reflect well the school values and children’s rights. Most children feel nurtured and cared for in their school and speak positively about how their teachers help them to learn.”
Learning and teaching assessment
Senior leaders and staff have correctly identified the need to improve the quality of learning, teaching and assessment. They should, as planned, revisit the existing learning, teaching and assessment policy. This should support all staff to develop a shared understanding of high-quality learning, teaching and assessment.
Teachers track and monitor children’s progress in literacy and numeracy robustly. They meet with senior leaders three times a year to discuss class, group and individual children’s progress. They use this information well to plan appropriate interventions for identified groups of children. As a result, identified children are better supported and most make good progress in their learning.
Attainment and attendance
Overall, attainment is satisfactory across literacy and numeracy with the majority of children making good progress in literacy and English. Children across the school learn French progressively. In addition, children in P4-7 learn Spanish. This approach ensures that all children receive their entitlement to the 1+2 languages programme.
Attendance has shown a gradual improvement over the past three years and currently stands at 88.7%. While this remains below the national average, staff are proactive in addressing barriers to attendance.
Areas for improvement
Following the visit, inspectors said that staff should work together to ensure consistent high-quality learning and teaching across the school. They need to increase opportunities for children to take more lead in their learning. Teachers also need to plan well-paced lessons which provide all children with increased levels of challenge. They need to ensure children’s learning continues to raise attainment in literacy and numeracy.
The report continues: “Staff regularly and routinely recognise and celebrate children’s achievements in class, at school assemblies and through newsletters. Children value this recognition and welcome the opportunities to showcase their talents in, for example dance or sporting competitions, outwith school. This helps foster a positive ethos and motivates other children to take part.”
Recently, children took part in the local area primary school qualifiers and competed nationally at handball against schools from across Scotland. This supported children to be confident when representing their school and developed well their resilience.
Staff are not yet tracking the skills that children are developing through these activities. They should continue with plans to develop all children’s ability to discuss their skills, strengths and achievements across a range of contexts.
Staff have a very good understanding of the factors which influence children’s attainment outcomes, such as poor attendance, poverty and additional support needs. Staff have clearly added value to children’s attainment over time through providing a range of effective interventions. Overall, the majority of children make good progress in literacy and most make good progress in numeracy over time.
Inspectors were confident that the school has the capacity to continue to improve and so will make no more visits in connection with this inspection.
