Education / Sound school and nursery given positive inspection report
THE SOUND Primary School and nursery have received a positive inspection report from Education Scotland following a visit in April this year.
The primary school received “very good” ratings across three of the four key performance indicators, and a “good” rating for the fourth.
The nursery was also praised, earning “good” ratings across all four key performance indicators.
Education Scotland visited the school in April 2025, with inspectors speaking to parents/carers and children, and working closely with the headteacher and staff.
Following the inspection they said headteacher Ann-Marie Angus was “highly respected” at the school, and provided “very effective leadership” to the staffing team.
That resulted in “highly positive experiences and outcomes for children”, inspectors found.
They said that the staff worked together to all create a “very nurturing and inclusive environment”.
“This is supporting children to be happy, enthusiastic to learn and to engage very well in learning,” inspectors said.
“In the school and nursery, staff make very good use of the local environment to support learning. They promote effectively Shetland’s heritage and culture.”
Overall Sound Primary School was rated as “very good” in leadership of change, raising attainment and achievement, and ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion.
They earned a “good” rating for learning, teaching and assessment.
The nursery earned a “good” rating in all four categories.
In terms of areas for improvement, Education Scotland said staff in the school should provide “increased challenge” during lessons for a minority of children, to ensure they made the best possible progress.
And in the nursery, inspectors said senior leaders should develop leadership opportunities for children to allow them contribute more fully to their work. Inspectors said they will make no more visits to the school.
Education and families committee vice-chairwoman Catherine Hughson said this was a “very good inspection” report and “testimony to the hard work of the headteacher, staff learners and wider school community”.
She added: “The whole school community should feel proud that their hard work and motivation has been recognised and the strengths of the school that have been identified will provide firm foundations for the future.”
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