Standards, Quality and Improvement: Summary For Parents

During the past year we have achieved the following outcomes from our Improvement Plan:

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

The storytelling programme was implemented in all classes and a successful storytelling week was held in which children and teachers were able to demonstrate their skills.  Successful use of the new reading programme resulted in 14 children in Primary 7 attaining Level F.

MODERN LANGUAGES

Very good teaching and leadership from the specialist teacher has ensured that the programme is well delivered to pupils and that it continues to develop.  Pupils demonstrated a positive attitude through their participation in lessons and in prepared talks in Primary 7.

ENTERPRISE

Enterprise activities are established throughout the school enabling children to develop more enterprising attitudes and skills.  Teachers developed an enterprise policy that identifies the enterprise element in existing topics across the curriculum.  Pupils gained a sense of achievement in jointly presenting their part of the enterprise project to the community.

RELIGIOUS AND MORAL EDUCATION

Children?s learning experiences in RME have been broadened through the use of the new CEC programmes of study.

ATTAINMENT

Attainment has risen in Mathematics (96% achieved or surpassed their target level), in Reading (95%) and in Writing (93%).  The new CEC Maths programmes have contributed to good progress through revisiting prior learning, improving mental agility and by tracking progress through unit tests.  The Cluster focus on teaching writer?s craft in Primary 7 improved pupil attainment in National writing assessments.

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

A consistent approach to teaching throughout the school has been achieved through teachers? use of a range of formative assessment strategies.  The ?talking partners? approach is well established in all lessons.  Through the use of learning intentions and success criteria, pupils are able to discuss their work and the work of others and they are aware of what they need to do to improve.  Teachers have begun to develop more effective questioning techniques.

GIFTED AND TALENTED

The Working Group continue to develop the gifted and talented policy, but await further input from the forthcoming CEC framework.

HOMEWORK

The responses to the homework questionnaire issued to teaching staff, parents and pupils were collated and analysed.  Teachers planned a homework overview for the year.

ICT

Using SMART board technology and relocating the computer suite have improved the learning and teaching experience of pupils and staff. A group of pupils shared their knowledge of digital video at the E-live event at Murrayfield.

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Progressive programmes of study for PSD improved continuity in learning for pupils.  All pupils benefited from the Anti-Bullying Focus Week activities.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR LEARNING

Staff responded to the new ASL Act by revising the school policy for support for pupils.

HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOLS

Through the Comenius programme, classes benefited from involvement in a variety of healthy eating activities, eg exchange of healthy recipes with European partner schools.  Health promoting aspects of school life were identified.  Children were involved in skipping workshops, Snack Attack, water in class and the Active Schools programme.  All  classes were involved in a five week activity programme in the summer term concentrating on one sport, eg tennis, ski-ing, dance, swimming, badminton, golf.  The Eco Schools bronze award was achieved.

PUPIL INVOLVEMENT

Consultation with pupils was achieved successfully through the Pupil Council?s questionnaire, House Captains? Forum, Eco Committee and Safer Routes Group.

PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS

The School Board was successful in promoting the school?s needs in relation to accommodation and grounds development.  Parents? views were sought through a questionnaire which will be useful in future planning.  Effective partnership was achieved though various projects eg the extension opening events, consultation on homework, extra curricular activities, decorating the Storysack library, reorganising the main library, Safer Routes to School activities.

BEHAVIOUR AND RELATIONSHIPS

A P4 ? 7 joint Golden Time was successful in offering a wider range of activities to pupils.  Staff successfully promote a strong ethos of achievement through recognising and sharing wider achievements in class, at Star of the Week assemblies and in newsletters to parents.  Children?s sense of identify was increased through planning and undertaking the school extension opening events.

SCHOOL EXTENSION PROGRAMME

Very careful planning and preparation by the Head Teacher and Business Manager ensured that the impact of the building programme was kept to a minimum.  Regular meetings with the planning team and the contractor ensured the health and safety of school users.  The building of the extension was successfully completed and opened in January 2006.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The location of curricular resources was reviewed and new areas in the main building were put to use.  The ICT suite and main library were relocated to more suitable areas and a staff base was established.

MANAGEMENT, LEADERSHIP AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

All staff took part in an audit of Teaching & Learning and Support for Pupils which identified areas for improvement.  Staff working groups successfully took these forward.  Teachers set targets for pupils and pupils contributed to this process.  All staff were involved in self-evaluation.  The senior management team monitored and tracked pupil progress.