Reay primary pupils are ‘happy, engaged and highly enthusiastic’, report reveals
A primary school near Thurso has been applauded for its strong community values, engaging learning environment and supportive relationships, in an inspection report released this week.
A team from Education Scotland paid a visit to Reay Primary School in March, and met with parents, carers and children as well as working closely with the headteacher and staff.
The school, which serves the areas of Dounreay, Forss, Lieurary, Shebster and Westfield and surrounding farms, currently has 37 children on its roll.
In a letter issued to parents, inspectors highlighted a number of key strengths at the school, describing the children as “happy, engaged and highly enthusiastic about their learning.”
Pupils were found to work well together, “developing their leadership skills in meaningful ways,” and taking pride in their school.
The school was rated as “very good” in the category of learning, teaching and assessment, while also achieving a score of “good” for raising attainment and achievement.
The inspection praised the “highly nurturing and positive relationships between all staff and children,” noting that these were “modelled by the headteacher” and contributed to a “warm, inclusive ethos.”
Staff were seen to work closely as a team, while children were observed encouraging one another and showing kindness—“thriving in a school where they are cared for very well.”
Learning experiences were described as “varied and interesting,” with staff and community partners working effectively to create “meaningful experiences and activities” that support the development of important knowledge and skills.
The report also noted high levels of personal and school achievement, recognising that children experience success across a “broad range of well-planned experiences.”
Inspectors identified two areas for improvement.
They recommended that staff “continue to develop how they use evidence from assessments to inform their planning,” in order to support children’s ongoing progress.
It was also advised that the school “measure more rigorously how targeted interventions and changes to teaching and learning impact on outcomes,” to help select the “most effective priorities and actions to raise attainment.”
Education Scotland concluded that it is “confident that the school has the capacity to continue to improve” and confirmed there would be no further visits.
