A Coatbridge primary school has received one of the best inspection reports in Scotland.
St Stephen’s Primary School has been awarded ‘excellent’ ratings for Leadership of Change, Learning, Teaching and Assessment, and Ensuring Wellbeing, Equality and Inclusion, and ‘very good’ for Raising Attainment and Achievement.
During a visit to the school, HM Inspectors of Education spoke to parents and carers and worked closely with the headteacher and staff to review the school’s work, and they found a number of significant strengths.
Senior leaders have created a highly inclusive ethos across the school and Language and Communication Support Classes (LCSC). This ethos is underpinned by the Gospel values and embraced by children, staff and parents. As a result, children believe in themselves and know they are highly valued members of the school community.
The headteacher and senior leadership team provide outstanding leadership. They motivate children and staff to lead change with enthusiasm and confidence. Children and staff are trusted and actively involved in improving the school. Their contributions make a positive difference to them as individuals and to the school community. This highly effective leadership at all levels supports the school’s continued growth and improvement.
Staff show a sustained, shared commitment to high-quality professional learning. As a result, senior leaders and staff have a strong understanding of how children learn. They use this knowledge very effectively to plan creative and engaging learning experiences that help children become independent learners. Children are enthusiastic about learning, work very well together, and confidently explain how they solve problems across different areas of learning.
Senior leaders and all staff are ambitious in their approaches to ensuring each child is included fully in all aspects of the school. Children in the LCSC engage in high-quality experiences that are well matched to the learning of their peers in the mainstream classes. Any barriers to learning or participation in whole school events are removed. As a result, children feel fully included and make strong progress in their learning.
Pupils and staff at St Stephen’s have also secured the prestigious Gold Rights Respecting Schools Award and Gold School Sport Award. The Gold Rights Respecting Schools Award, presented by UNICEF UK, is the highest level of recognition and is awarded to schools that place children’s rights at the heart of their values and daily life. It recognises the school’s strong commitment to promoting respect, fairness and pupil voice across the whole community. The Gold School Sport Award, presented by Sports Scotland, recognises the school’s commitment to sport as part of their health and wellbeing agenda.
“This is a first-class report for St Stephen’s Primary School, recognising the skill, professionalism and care provided by the headteacher and her team,” said Councillor Anne McCrory, Vice Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee.
“Congratulations to everyone within the school community for their commitment to delivering the highest standards of teaching and learning for the pupils.”
Martine Watt, Head Teacher, said: “As a school community, we are delighted to be recognised as an excellent school where our faith and values, underpin the leadership of our highly inclusive practice across the mainstream and LCSC; where children and staff actively promote children’s rights, equality, equity and respect; and where the talents of every child are nurtured and supported. We are particularly proud to be recognised as a school where all children are ‘educated with care, compassion and high expectations’.
“We are delighted that the inspectors also highlighted the professional commitment and outstanding practice of our teaching and non-teaching staff, who are highly skilled and motivated to achieve the very best for every child in our care. Importantly, we are particularly pleased that our amazing children’s engagement in learning and exemplary behaviour is recognised to be outstanding!
“We are all incredibly proud that the inspectors captured the dedication and commitment of staff, pupils, parents and partners in this outstanding report. It is a great achievement for our wonderful community!”
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