Borders primary school given thumbs-up by education inspectors

By Darin Hutson
Published 28th Feb 2019, 14:03 GMT
Updated 12th Dec 2019, 08:50 GMT

A Borders primary school has been given the thumbs-up by education watchdogs following its latest inspection.

Ednam Primary, near Kelso, and its nursery have been praised by Education Scotland for ensuring youngsters there make good progress in literacy and numeracy and that its learning environments are up to par.

Ednam Primary School pupils and staff George McIntosh, Henry Aitcheson, Hannah Morris Atkinson, Mathilde Borja, Susan Elliott, Catriona Finn, Julie McIntosh, Barbara Shiel, Aidan Richardson and Florence Brooks.placeholder image
Ednam Primary School pupils and staff George McIntosh, Henry Aitcheson, Hannah Morris Atkinson, Mathilde Borja, Susan Elliott, Catriona Finn, Julie McIntosh, Barbara Shiel, Aidan Richardson and Florence Brooks. | Bill McBurnie Photography, Queens Cottage, Queen Street, Jedburgh. TD8 6EP mobile: 07740720063 e: [email protected]

Learning, teaching and assessment was rated as satisfactory at the primary and its performance in raising attainment and achievement was classed as good. The school’s nursery was rated good in both those categories.

Pupils, described as happy and confident, were also praised for their behaviour and enthusiasm.

Ednam Primary School nursery pupils with their teachers Tessa Simpson, Myra Morton and Kate Allen.placeholder image
Ednam Primary School nursery pupils with their teachers Tessa Simpson, Myra Morton and Kate Allen. | Bill McBurnie Photography, Queens Cottage, Queen Street, Jedburgh. TD8 6EP mobile: 07740720063 e: [email protected]

“They are keen to learn and eager to make progress,” says inspector Ken McAra in his report, out now.

Three areas for improvement were identified and they are now being addressed.

They include ensuring greater consistency of approaches in learning, teaching, tracking and monitoring.

The school is also being urged to make sure that the pace of learning is sufficiently challenging to meet the needs of all its children and to further develop partnerships with parents and partners so that they are fully involved in evaluating its work and reviewing its values and aims.

Headteacher Catriona Finn said: “We are all pleased with the positive recognition given to pupils, staff and parents in the report.