LAURA REDPATH
An Aberdeenshire school has been praised for its work on improving children’s education.
Marykirk Primary, Marykirk, has received a strong report from Education Scotland,
The review found that nearly all pupils are engaged and enthusiastic in lessons.
Strengths have been highlighted in reading and writing and while good knowledge of mental calculations was identified, skills in fractions, decimals and percentages called for improvement.
Teachers were congratulated on well structured lessons and the support they provide during challenging questions and discussions.
Inspectors found life skills were developed in a number of ways, with one project on health enhanced by pupils growing, selling, and cooking food from the school garden.
Headteacher Fiona Thomson was described as enthusiastic and praised for bringing in fresh ideas for the school’s curriculum.
Councillor Isobel Davidson, chair of education learning and leisure at Aberdeenshire Council, said she was delighted with the inspection results.
She added: “HMIE inspections are becoming more and more challenging and this inspection report is a credit to the school.
“I congratulate the staff, pupils and parents for their hard work.”