Vidlin and Mid Yell schools and nurseries praised by inspectors
TWO schools have been given positive reports by inspectors following recent visits.
Lunnasting Primary School in Vidlin was given an overall “good” rating following a May 2026 visit, while the nursery was rated as “very good” by inspectors.
The Mid Yell Junior High School was also rated as “good” after an inspection in March, while its nursery was also given a “very good” overall rating.
Education and families committee chairman Davie Sandison said he was “really pleased” to see the positive reports for the two schools and their nurseries.
A team of education inspectors visited Lunnasting primary in May, talking to parents and carers and also working closely with the headteacher and staff.
They found that the headteacher demonstrated “compassionate leadership” and “encourages all staff, children and families to achieve their best”.
“She has involved staff and children successfully in making positive change and is building successfully the school’s capacity for continuous improvement,” they said.
“Children across the nursery and school are articulate, polite, welcoming and proud to be part of their school community.
“They demonstrate well the school values and have a positive attitude to learning.”
Nursery children were “motivated and excited by the rich experiences on offer to them”, and were supported by a “highly skilled staff team”.
Inspectors also praised the effective teamwork between the headteacher and school staff, saying they had a “deep knowledge of children and their families”.
School improvement planning could be developed further however, the inspectors said.
Inspectors rated the Lunnasting school as “good” across four key performance indicators.
The nursery was rated as “very good” for its curriculum, learning and teaching, and its inclusion and equality.
At Mid Yell Junior High School in March, inspectors also spent time talking to parents and carers as well as working with school staff.
They found that the headteacher had created a culture where staff, children and parents had “developed a highly supportive and nurturing ethos for learning”.
“Senior leaders and staff have a very strong knowledge of all children and young people’s progress in learning,” they said.
“As a result, learners are effectively supported to attain and achieve well in the nursery and in the school.
“Staff in the nursery and lower primary have created highly engaging, rich learning environments which support children’s learning needs well.”
Areas for improvement included senior leaders and staff working together to develop a “clearer focus” on school improvement planning, and for programmes of learning to be reviewed and developed.
While Mid Yell was rated “satisfactory” for its leadership of change, it received “good” ratings for its learning and teaching, equality and inclusion and for raising attainment and achievement.
The nursery was rated “good” for its curriculum, but received “very good” marks for its learning and teaching, and its inclusion and equality.
No follow-up visits will be required at either Lunnasting or Mid Yell as a result of the reports.
Education and families committee chairman Davie Sandison said he was pleased to see both schools being praised by inspectors. “I’m really pleased to read such a positive inspection report for Lunnasting Primary School and nursery class,” he said.
“My thanks especially to the headteacher for her leadership and to all the staff for their continued work to support children in the school.”
Praising the Mid Yell Junior High School report, he added: “I thank the headteacher and all the staff in the [Mid Yell] school for creating such a supportive and nurturing environment for learning, and trust that they will deliver on the areas for improvement that have been identified by inspectors.”
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