A north-east head teacher, who is due to retire this summer, has been praised by education chiefs after her school secured a positive report from inspectors.
Wilma Mutch has worked at New Deer School for 40 years and been head teacher for the last eight.
Yesterday she presented the school’s latest inspection report to the Buchan Area Committee.
Councillors commended her and her team following an inspection in February which led to a report with good or very good gradings in all areas.
Mrs Mutch said: “I was grateful to inspectors for recognising the caring, nurturing and inclusive environment at our school – for me that’s most important.
“I thank all of the staff from teachers and PSAs down to the canteen staff and cleaners for the support in helping our school and giving their best.
“We’ve a full compliment of staff with only four days teacher absence in the last year as we all respect each other and it makes for a nice working environment.
“Our digital school award was one of the things we were commended on and our younger staff are all to thank for that – I make sure they’ve the budget and they enthusiastically deliver.
“To me New Deer school is the heart of the community and village.”