Agenda item

(Copy reports attached.)

5.0     FOUNTAINHALL PRIMARY SCHOOL

            In Attendance:- Ms S. Anderson (Headteacher), Kathleen Lofthouse (Parent Council Representative), Gillian McKenzie (Quality Improvement Officer) and Councillor N. MacKinnon.

5.1     The Chairman welcomed the representatives from Fountainhall Primary School. 

5.2       HMIe Report

            There had been circulated copies of a report which explained that Fountainhall Primary School was inspected in November 2022 using a ‘full’ inspection model, which meant that 4 key quality indicators were inspected in both the Early Learning and Childcare setting and the Primary School over a 5 day period.  The HMIE Report evaluated the Early Years setting and the Primary provision as good across almost all quality indicators, with evaluations of very good in the Nursery for ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion and very good in the Primary stages for learning, teaching and assessment.  The evaluation gradings range given by HMIE on school inspections can range from unsatisfactory to excellent, so a grading of very good indicated there were major strengths in this aspect of the school’s work.  The inspection team had found the following strengths in the school’s work - a) The leadership of the Headteacher and Principal Teacher in ensuring that the wellbeing of children was central to the work of all and as a result of their shared vision for the nursery class and school, all staff had a clear focus on supporting all children to achieve their full potential and the strong sense of teamwork resulted in an inclusive, family ethos; b) the very successful approaches to meeting the learning needs of all children in the multi-stage composite class. The skilled Senior Leaders, Teachers and support staff worked together closely to provide a nurturing and highly motivating learning environment for children; c) Happy, articulate and confident children who were very proud of their nursery class and school and had increasing ownership of their learning and showed respect, empathy and kindness to each other; d) High standards in the teaching of literacy across the Nursery Class and School and Children at all stages were making very good progress in this area of learning.

5.3       The following areas for improvement had been identified and discussed with the Headteacher and representative from Scottish Borders Council a) continue to take forward plans to refresh the unique curriculum offer for learners at Fountainhall, with a focus on developing children’s skills for learning, life and work; b) continue to raise attainment in numeracy and mathematics, ensuring that all children were supported and challenged to make the best possible progress and c) the inspection team were confident that the school had capacity to continue to improve and that no further visits in connection with this inspection were required.  The Quality Improvement Team and Early Years Team would continue to work alongside the Headteacher to ensure continued progress towards excellence. 

5.4       The Headteacher explained that there had been three Inspectors over 5 days and was based 

            on the scoping document sent to the Inspectors prior to the visit and acknowledged the support from the Quality Improvement Officer keeping them on track and helping to collate the evidence electronically rather than in folders.  Two pupils had been tasked with taking the Inspectors round the school and had spent an hour showing off their school and all the work undertaken, which had allowed the Inspectors to see everything contained in the scoping document and highlighted that the pupils were enthusiastic learners who could speak confidently about their learning and be proud of their school and each other.   It had been demonstrated that that there was a positive relationship between Staff, Families and the wider Community – invitations to school events being distributed by the children to everyone in the vicinity.  There was a shared vision and a sound understanding of the strengths of the School and the pupils had composed a chant around this vision.  All Staff take on leadership roles especially when the Headteacher was not in school and the children were also developing their leadership skills.  There was a High expectation from staff around literacy and a particularly positive approach to lessons from primary 1 – 7.  There was effective use of digital technology and continual development.  Assessment used to enhance the planning within the school which included the children having a say.  All children were supportive of each other and welcomed new pupils.  There was good progress in numeracy and literacy and writing was of a consistently high quality, although numeracy required additional work, which the School was aware of.  The areas of improvement were no surprise to the Headteacher and were already in the Action Plan prior to the Inspection and included re-engagement with the Community Partnership which had slipped during COVID, better use of data for numeracy and maths in action plan and more development of the outdoor learning opportunities.

5.5       Kathleen Lofthouse explained that she had been in role of Chair of the Parent Council for 4 years and the meeting with Inspectors had been relaxed and the questions had been as expected.  Parents had been delighted with the result of the inspection and saw the strengths on a daily basis – a very friendly school at the heart of the Community and the Parent Council would support the Headteacher to make the improvement.  Christian Robertson, Senior Lead Officer spoke on behalf of James Bewsey and explained that Ms Anderson was the Headteacher of three Schools, namely Heriot, Stow and Fountainhall and there had been four pupils with one week until inspection, when a further five had enrolled and the Inspectors had commented that they could not tell the pupils apart.

5.6       In response to a questions regarding how the addition of Stow to Heriot and Fountainhall had impacted on the School when there was not a nursery class at Heriot and in terms of P7 transitions.  The Headteacher had explained that there were opportunities for the schools to hold joint events i.e. Easter, Netball tournaments, Sports Days and joint pupil visits to the Academy.  There were plans to further develop these opportunities in the coming year.  In terms of the Nursery into primary one – there were transition mornings in the last term so that they can go to their P1 class and then have lunch.  The Parent Council representative explained that £300 had been granted by the Community Council to host 3hr play afternoons based at Fountainhall for families from Stow, Heriot and Fountainhall to come along and play games.  There would also be a joint Residential for P6 and P7.

       DECISION

AGREED that:-

(a)   School Improvement Plan for Fountainhall Primary School which addressed areas      for improvement as outlined in the HMIE Inspection Report (January 2023).; and

(b)   Quality Improvement Team’s plan for support and showcasing of the work of        Fountainhall Primary School following a strong inspection.