Education Scotland has today published their latest inspection report for Urafirth Primary School and Early Years, following a visit by inspectors in October 2024.
During their visit, inspectors talked to parents/carers and children and worked closely with the headteacher and staff. The inspection team found the following strengths in the school’s work.
- In the school and nursery, children are respectful, kind and welcoming. They are articulate, motivated to learn and enjoy talking about their learning.
- Across the school and nursery, the headteacher demonstrates effective leadership. She is supported well by the staff team. Together, they provide an inclusive, nurturing and inviting learning environment which is helping all children to achieve success in learning.
- Staff in the school and nursery engage in ongoing high-quality professional learning. This is helping them to reflect on and develop their practice, leading to improvements in children’s experiences and outcomes.
The following areas for improvement were identified and discussed with the headteacher and a representative from Shetland Islands Council.
- In the school, staff should continue to develop high-quality approaches to learning and teaching to ensure all children make the best possible progress. This should include giving children more opportunities to lead their own learning.
- In the school, staff should support children to understand, record and share the skills they are developing through learning experiences and achievements.
- In the nursery, staff should provide children with further challenge to extend and sustain children’s interests in learning.
Education Scotland’s quality indicators for the primary school were –
- Learning, teaching and assessment - Good
- Raising attainment and achievement - Good
Education Scotland’s quality indicators for the nursery class were –
- Learning, teaching and assessment - Good
- Securing children’s progress – Good
Education Scotland inspectors are confident that the school has the capacity to continue to improve and will make no further visits in connection with this inspection.
The Inspection Reports can be found on Education Scotland’s website
Councillor Davie Sandison, who Chairs the Council’s Education and Families Committee said: “I’m pleased to see this positive report for Urafirth Primary School that reflects the work of the pupils, staff and wider school community. My congratulations to everyone connected with the school.”