Nesting school report welcomed

SHETLAND Islands Council’s director of children services has welcomed an Education Scotland report on Nesting Primary School and described the ‘satisfactory’ rating given by inspectors as “clear direction” for the new head teacher.

In its report published on Monday, the inspectorate evaluated two quality indicators – learning, teaching and assessment as well as raising attainment and achievement – as satisfactory.

Inspectors said the school’s approaches to monitoring and tracking children’s progress to raise attainment needed to be improved, and planning and assessment for learning to improve needed to be developed further.

Inspectors recognised a number of strengths including effective strategic leadership by the new head teacher, and staff who are willing to improve the school through developing and sharing their professional skills and knowledge.

They also noted the nurturing and inclusive learning environment where all staff work together effectively with parents and partners.

Chairman of the council’s education and families committee George Smith said: “The inspection report is a positive reflection on the changes taking place at Nesting Primary School and the progress made in the short time since the new head teacher has been in post.”

His words were echoed by Helen Budge who added: “I think it is a very good report for a new head teacher who has been in place for a year in a school.

“Any report that is being published will find areas for improvement. I think Education Scotland has a very rigorous inspection regime and I think that the head teacher and ourselves are very pleased to see the areas of work that she has been working on recognised, such as effective leadership that she is providing to the school and building relationships.

We think this sets a clear direction for the head teacher to go forward, and we are very pleased that the inspectors are not coming back and will accept updates from us.”