TOP CLASS REPORT CARD FOR LANGLANDS
NORTH Tayside SNP MSP Mr John Swinney has congratulated Langlands Primary School and Nursery Class for the glowing report they received from HM Inspectorate of Education.
Langlands serves the community in the west of Forfar and the surrounding rural area. At the time of the inspection last May the roll was 447, including 80 in the nursery.
A small number of children from the wider community in Angus attend a support base in the school for Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Staff and children moved to a high-quality new building in May 2009, following a period in which the school had been decanted to another site.
The inspectors found the particular strengths of the school were the achievement of children in a wide range of sporting, cultural and citizenship activities; improvements in attainment in English language and mathematics at the early stages; well-behaved and motivated children who are increasingly involved in planning learning activities; teamwork among staff to improve the school and nursery class; strong leadership from the headteacher, depute headteacher and other promoted staff and learning and achievement.
Children are well motivated by the learning activities in the nursery and primary classes and children in the support base enjoy learning too.
When they are planning learning experiences, staff at all stages take very good account of what children know and the knowledge and skills they would like to acquire.
They have taken good steps to improve the curriculum using Curriculum for Excellence guidance and work very effectively with a wide range of partners to support children's learning.
Teachers visit each other's classes to see good teaching practice and through lesson observations, professional review meetings with staff, and checking children's work, senior staff have a well-developed knowledge of the quality of learning across the school.
The high-quality building provides the basis for a very good learning environment. All staff and children work well together in it, with mutual respect. Staff set high expectations for children's behaviour and achievement which is shown most noticeably in the high standards of behaviour evident throughout the school and the strong and successful emphasis on achievement, particularly in sports.
The headteacher and staff are keen to ensure children in the support base are fully engaged in the life of the school as appropriate and the school has suitable arrangements for religious observance.
The inspectors also found, working with staff, the headteacher and her depute have established a clear sense of direction for the school.
All staff are committed to working in partnership among themselves and with others to make children more active in their learning and to improve their achievement.
As a result of the very good quality of education provided by the school, the inspectors will make no further visits in connection with the recent inspection.
The school should now build on existing good practice to ensure more consistency in active learning, use of ICT and matching tasks to learners' needs in some curriculum areas and continue to implement Curriculum for Excellence to further raise standards of attainment, particularly for older children.
Commenting on the report Mr Swinney said: "I am delighted to see that Langlands Primary School has received such a glowing report.
"Under headteacher, Kim Walker, the staff are making a very positive impact on the lives of the pupils.
"The inspectors also highlight the commitment and dedication of staff throughout the school.
"The report also sings the praises of the pupils and I note that the report makes special mention of their successes and involvement in school life.
"Congratulations to pupils, staff and parents on having such a favourable report.
"You should all be very pleased with your achievements."
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Weather for Forfar
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
