TORPHINS Primary School and Nursery Class has been praised after receiving a positive report from schools inspectors.
The school and nursery were inspected in May 2008. The inspection covered key aspects of the work of the school at all stages. It evaluated nursery children's and pupils' achievements, the effectiveness of the school, the environment for learning, th
e school's processes for self-evaluation and innovation, and its capacity for improvement.
There was a particular focus on attainment in English language and mathematics.
HM Inspectors examined the quality of the children's experience in the nursery, pupils' work and interviewed groups of pupils, including the pupil council, and staff. Members of the inspection team also met the chairperson of the parent council, representatives of the parent-teacher association and a group of parents.
Key strengths outlined by the inspectors included the following:
* High levels of performance and improvements in reading and writing.
* The teamwork of all staff and their active participation in school improvement activities.
* The quality of teaching and children's learning experiences in the nursery.
* High standards of behaviour and the positive attitude to learning shown by pupils.
* The leadership of the headteacher and depute headteacher.
West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine MSP Mike Rumbles congratulated staff, pupils and parents following publication of the report.
"I was delighted to see that Torphins School and Nursery had received such an excellent report from inspectors," he said. "I have visited the school myself and I have seen first hand that it is an excellent learning environment.
"I congratulate the management, staff and pupils at the school who have all worked so hard together to achieve this."
Gordon MP Malcolm Bruce, who has three children at the school, added: "I would like to add my congratulations to all at Torphins School. This extremely positive report is a vindication of their hard work and persistence."
Headteacher at Torphins School, Irene Reid, said it was a partnership between staff, parents and pupils which had led to the successful report.
"We are very pleased with our report," she said. "It is a true partnership of parents, pupils and staff working together - we have hard-working, committed staff and the same can be said of the pupils.
"It's a pleasure and a privilege to have these pupils in this school."
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