ONE OF MORAY’S smallest primary schools and its attached nursery class have received a glowing report from Education Scotland inspectors.
Tomintoul Primary has been ranked either very good or good in every category following the inspection visit in April this year.
The reports is one of the best for any school in Moray in recent years, praising the leadership from head teacher Nancy Fraser and effective teamwork of all staff who led continuous improvement throughout the school and nursery.
Inspectors said the children were enthusiastic, motivate and had a clear understanding of their own strengths and next steps in learning. Their wellbeing was central to life and work at the school and staff used their knowledge of the children to plan effectively and meet their needs.
The inspectors urged the school to continue to raise the attainment of all children and to develop curricular programmes to ensure flexible progression routes for all learners across the curriculum.
The report said: “We are confident that the school has the capacity to continue to improve and so we will make no more visits in connection with this inspection.”
In a separate but parallel inspection by the Care Inspectorate, all four quality assessments of the nursery class were graded as ‘very good’.
Local MP Douglas Ross has praised staff and pupils at the school and nursery on reading the report this morning.
Mr Ross said: “I would like to congratulate head teacher Nancy Fraser and all the staff for their leadership at the school and nursery which has delivered such an excellent report.
“It was pleasing to read that the standard of leadership, partnership working with parents and carers, as well as involvement of the local community were all highlighted by the inspectors.
“The wellbeing of the children was also singled out as being central to the working ethos of the school which has obviously proven to be a positive recipe for success along with hard work, dedication and an emphasis on continuing to raise attainment levels.
“This is a very positive report and demonstrates the high standards at the school and the strong links between, staff, pupils, families and the local community.”
Local councillor Derek Ross was also delighted at the report, saying: “This is a vindication for small schools in Moray and the quality of education they provide. All the staff at both the primary school and nursery have done a magnificent job and I congratulate them on that – and I know that through their dedication the standards will remain at the top of the list for many years to come.”
SNP Councillor for Speyside, Louise Laing, also praised the school staff saying: “This is a really strong and positive report about Tomintoul Primary, indeed it is one of the best reports for any school in Moray in recent years.
“I hope this puts to bed the idea that smaller rural schools are somehow a burden when, in fact, many are producing some of the best teaching and outcomes for young people.
“The whole school from pupils to teachers and parents, as well as the wider Tomintoul community, can be very proud of what is being achieved and long may it continue!”