Joshua King
Inspectors have said a north-east primary school which was struck by vandals last year has made important progress.
Markethill Primary School and Nursery in Turriff was recently assessed by a team from Education Scotland as a routine follow-up to a previous visit.
A letter sent to parents this week reveals that teachers have made strides to improve the quality of education since a visit in May 2015.
HM Inspector Alan Urquhart said: “There has been significant changes to staffing including the appointment of three new depute headteachers.
“This has now given the school a greater stability and has put the headteacher in a better position to focus on the agreed areas for improvement.”
Mr Urquhart and his team found that the curriculum at the primary school is more “relevant” and “challenging” for the pupils and is now calling on the head teacher to build on the improvements already made.
He added: “Whilst we now have more confidence in the school, and its capacity to sustain improvements, we will maintain contact with the school and Aberdeenshire Council to confirm progress over time.”
Inspectors will ask for a progress report within the next 18 months.
The latest inspection came just weeks after the school was badly damaged by vandals. About £20,000 of damage was caused during the incident, with electrical equipment, interior windows and even the trophy cabinet smashed, and tables and chairs overturned.
Five people, including a 14-year-old girl, were been charged in connection with the incident.
