1 May 2007
1. The inspection
2. Continuous improvement
3. Progress towards meeting the main points for action
4. Conclusion
How can you contact us?
HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) published a report on the inspection of Millbank Primary School in May 2005. Working with the school, the education authority prepared an action plan indicating how they would address the main points for action identified in the original HMIE inspection report.
HM Inspectors revisited the school in February 2007 to assess the extent to which the school was continuing to improve the quality of its work, and to evaluate progress made in responding to the main points for action in the initial report.
The acting headteacher at the time of the original inspection in February 2005 was appointed to the post of headteacher in May 2005. An additional two principal teachers had been appointed to provide further support and guidance to teaching staff. All teaching staff had taken effective steps to improve their professional practice by attending helpful training events organised by the education authority. These included a training event in assessment procedures, and another in using interactive whiteboards. All staff had provided useful encouragement to pupils to adopt a healthy lifestyle. They had gained a Scotland’s Health At Work bronze award, for their efforts to improve their own health and fitness.
The education authority had improved aspects of the school’s accommodation and grounds. They had erected new fencing and had improved the road markings and pathways at the rear gate to the school. This had ensured greater safety for pupils when entering and leaving the school. The headteacher, with the support of the education authority, had ensured that all teaching areas and the nursery were equipped with interactive whiteboards. The headteacher, with the support of education authority staff, had improved key areas of the school’s provision. She had further developed the already very good links with parents, and had effectively sought their views. She met regularly with staff to offer advice, monitor the quality of the school’s work and discuss pupils’ progress.
The initial inspection report published in May 2005 identified three main points for action. This section evaluates the progress made with each of the action points and the resulting improvements for pupils and other stakeholders.
3.1 Improve attainment overall, and particularly in English language.
The school had made good progress in meeting this main point for action.
School staff had made effective use of a new whole school programme to improve pupils’ skills in enterprise education. Pupils had developed their awareness of the need to look after the environment through their work towards achieving a bronze Eco School award. The number of pupils achieving or exceeding appropriate national levels of attainment in reading, writing and mathematics remained steady. Most pupils achieved these levels, and more pupils were now achieving these levels earlier than might be expected. The school had introduced a whole school programme for listening and talking. School staff had not yet taken appropriate steps to monitor pupils’ attainment in these areas. At all stages, staff had effectively encouraged pupils to read more widely for enjoyment, and pupils had responded well. Pupils at all stages now wrote at greater length and for a greater variety of purposes. A few pupils at the upper stages wrote lively and imaginative pieces. As a result of the improvements made, most pupils were now making better progress in a number of areas, including aspects of English language.
3.2 Improve challenge offered to pupils and expectations of performance.
The school had made good progress in addressing this main point for action.
The headteacher now met regularly with teaching staff to discuss pupils’ progress and ensure that their learning needs were well met. She made effective use of materials provided by the education authority to track pupils’ attainment and progress. Staff now organised lessons in key areas to ensure that tasks set matched pupils’ needs more appropriately. Teachers shared their expectations more effectively with pupils. They set out clearly for pupils what they expected them to learn and most pupils were responding well. The headteacher, with the support of the senior management team and teaching staff, now monitored pupils’ written work to ensure that appropriate standards were maintained. Pupils had responded well to the school’s new behaviour management policy which clearly set out the standards of behaviour expected. Most pupils worked well without supervision and cooperated with their teachers. As a result of the improvements made, pupils’ learning needs were now met more effectively.
3.3 Improve safety issues identified in the report.
The school and education authority had made very good progress in meeting this main point for action.
The education authority had installed a secure entry system which prevented unauthorised entry while pupils were in the school buildings. Fire doors to the rear of the building had been reinforced. The education authority had erected helpful fencing and signs to prevent dog fouling in the school’s extensive grounds. As a result of the improvements made, pupils were now safer while in school.
Overall, the school and education authority had made good progress in addressing the main points for action. Pupils’ learning experiences and attainment had improved and the school building was more secure. Working with the continuing support of the education authority, the headteacher and staff had the capacity to improve the school further. HM Inspectors will make no further visits to the school in connection with the inspection report of May 2005.
Robert D Barfoot
District Inspector
1 May 2007
If you would like an additional copy of this report
Copies of this report have been sent to the headteacher and school staff, the Director of Educational Services, local councillors and appropriate Members of the Scottish Parliament. Subject to availability, further copies may be obtained free of charge from HM Inspectorate of Education, Longman House, 28 Longman Road, Inverness, IV1 1SF or by telephoning 01463 253115. Copies are also available on our website: www.hmie.gov.uk.
HMIE Feedback and Complaints Procedure
Should you wish to comment on any aspect of follow-through inspections, you should write in the first instance to Annette Bruton, HMCI, HM Inspectorate of Education, Denholm House, Almondvale Business Park, Almondvale Way, Livingston EH54 6GA.
If you have a concern about this report, you should write in the first instance to Hazel Dewart, Business Management Unit, HM Inspectorate of Education, Second Floor, Denholm House, Almondvale Business Park, Almondvale Way, Livingston EH54 6GA. A copy of our complaints procedure is available from this office or by telephoning 01506 600258 or from our website at www.hmie.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the action we have taken at the end of our complaints procedure, you can raise your complaint with the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO). The SPSO is fully independent and has powers to investigate complaints about Government departments and agencies. You should write to the SPSO, Freepost EH641, Edinburgh EH3 0BR. You can also telephone 0800 377 7330 (fax 0800 377 7331) or e-mail: ask@spso.org.uk. More information about the Ombudsman’s office can be obtained from the website: www.spso.org.uk.
Crown Copyright 2007
HM Inspectorate of Education
This report may be reproduced in whole or in part, except for commercial purposes or in connection with a prospectus or advertisement, provided that the source and date thereof are stated.