Mossbank Primary School inspection report published

A team of inspectors visited the school in September this year and spoke to parents and carers, children and staff. The inspection has identified some strengths as well as areas for improvement.

The inspection team found the following strengths in the school's work:

• The headteacher and senior practitioner provide effective leadership across the ELC and school. They have worked effectively with staff to ensure all children play and learn in a nurturing and inclusive ELC and school. Children feel valued, cared for and are proud to be part of the 'Mossbank family'.
• Children and families across the ELC and school benefit from strong partnership working. Effective partnership working is leading to improved outcomes for children and families.
• There is effective teamwork in the ELC. Practitioners work well together to identify and implement improvements. This is impacting positively on children's progress.

The following areas for improvement were identified and discussed with the headteacher and a representative from Shetland Islands Council.

• Develop further approaches to monitoring and tracking children's progress and attainment. The headteacher and teachers should use tracking information effectively to ensure all children make the best possible progress in their learning.
• Develop approaches to planning learning across the curriculum. This should ensure all children experience learning at the right level of difficulty across all areas of the curriculum.

Overall, the Primary school was graded as follows:

• Leadership of change - Good
• Learning, teaching and assessment - Satisfactory
• Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion - Good
• Raising attainment and achievement - Satisfactory

Overall the Nursery Class was graded as follows:

• Leadership of change - Good
• Learning, teaching and assessment - Good
• Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion - Good
• Securing children's progress - Good

Inspectors have expressed confidence that the school has the capacity to continue to improve and no further inspection visits are planned.

Davie Sandison, Chair of the Council's Education and Families Committee said: "I'm pleased to read this inspection report that recognises the many strengths at Mossbank Primary School and Nursery. I want to thank school staff for their hard work and commitment to children and their families, and I have confidence that the head teacher will prioritise the areas for improvement identified."

The inspection report for Mossbank Primary School is available on the Education Scotland website

Published: 21st November 2023