A visiting team singled out Neilsland Primary’s “sector-leading” approach and “relentless focus” on sustained improvement in literacy and numeracy attainment in a report published earlier this month.

As a result, it notes, attainment gaps in both areas are significantly below local authority averages, with “no attainment gap present” in listening and talking.

The inspection team highlighted these, along with a raft of other achievements, and rated the 176-pupil school Very Good and Excellent across the board.

Key points also include:

• Almost all children achieve national standards of attainment in listening and talking at P1, 4 and & 7
• Almost all children at P1 achieve national standards of attainment in numeracy
• School attendance is above the national average and has improved annually in the last five years
• A wide range of lunchtime and after school clubs have been established allowing almost all children to participate in at least one activity
• Strong and committed focus on outdoor teaching and learning through play
• Use of Pupil Equity Fund and participatory budgeting to enable a robust approach to reducing the cost of the school day, removing barriers for participation for children and their families.

Head Teacher, Pamela Kelly (pictured below), said: “I am incredibly proud of this report and, most importantly, of what it says about our children and staff. Our attainment strategy is built on high expectations, knowing our children well and removing barriers so that every child can thrive.

“To have our work recognised by HMIE as sector-leading and our attainment story as an outstanding feature are huge achievements. These reflect the commitment, ambition and hard work of our whole school community, and we are immensely proud of what we have achieved together.”

Councillor Lynsey Hamilton, Chair of the council’s Education Resources committee (pictured top), visited the school this month to see the work for herself.

She added: “Every member of staff clearly goes out of their way to make sure they know what success looks like for each pupil - both in and out of the classroom - which has positioned Neilsland PS right at the heart of its community

“And, as the report highlights, there is bespoke work going on to improve attendance rates, create equity and to narrow the attainment gap.

“I congratulate each and every person who contributes to the life of this excellent school, but most of all the Head Teacher, her staff, and the parent community who are justifiably proud of this glowing report.”