Report highlights highly effective leadership at primary and nursery

Published: Tuesday 23 May 2023

Noreen Black, Head Teacher with children from all year groups

Cathkin Primary School and Nursery has been praised in a report by Education Scotland.

Following a visit by a team of HMIe inspectors, the report was published which was warmly welcomed by Cathkin Primary School and Nursery and members of the local community.

Mrs Noreen Black, Head Teacher said, “We are all very proud of our school and nursery class and we will continue to work as a team to build on our strengths and to take forward the areas for improvement.

“I feel the inspection by Education Scotland endorsed the whole team approach we have here at Cathkin Primary School and Nursery.

“I wish to thank our staff, pupils, parents and families, as well as members of our wider school community, for their continued support, and in helping us to achieve what is a very positive report.”

The report highlighted that the highly effective leadership provided by the head teacher and senior leadership team helped to create a supportive, inclusive culture, where children and adults felt valued and listened to.

Staff across the school and nursery worked well as a team with learning and teaching impacting positively on children’s progress and achievement.

Tony McDaid, Executive Director of Education at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “This report is a great tribute to the work being carried out by the entire learning community.

“It truly reflects how, by working effectively as a team, our young people are getting the best start in their educational journey as well as developing and nurturing their emotional wellbeing.

“Congratulations to Mrs Black for her leadership and to all the school staff, parents and families for their fantastic commitment and dedication.”

Wellbeing was highlighted by the Inspectorate team as central to the work of all staff across the school and nursery, with the quality of teamwork and nurturing approaches to support children’s learning in supported classes being identified as a key strength.

Overall, the report said that it was clear the school and nursery was a place where everyone felt confident to share their ideas and contribute to school improvement.

And the school was exceptionally proud that tracking children’s progress within the supported classes was highlighted as practice worth sharing more widely.