Aviemore Primary School

Overview

Education Scotland inspectors visited Aviemore Primary School in March 2025, finding a "nurturing and calm ethos" where staff support children’s wellbeing effectively. However, the report identifies significant weaknesses in the "leadership of change" and "raising attainment and achievement," noting that the school requires additional support and a follow-up inspection within one year.

Strengths

• The acting headteacher and senior leaders have established "highly positive relationships with staff and children," fostering an environment to review learning and teaching.
• Staff create a supportive atmosphere where children’s wellbeing needs are "supported effectively," with teachers and pupil support assistants working well together.
• Children are described as "welcoming, friendly and caring," developing a greater understanding of children’s rights and their place in the community.
• Pupils experience a "range of wider achievement opportunities" that help develop skills for learning, life, and work.

Areas to improve

• Senior leaders must improve the "strategic leadership of change," increasing the pace of improvement and ensuring regular monitoring of progress, particularly within the Rainbow rooms.
• All staff should work together to improve the "quality and consistency of learning, teaching and assessment," ensuring activities are well-planned and learning time is maximised.
• Leaders need to ensure attainment data is accurate through effective moderation and maintain a clear focus on "raising attainment in literacy and numeracy."

Safeguarding

The report states that staff respond sensitively to children’s wellbeing and health needs, creating a nurturing ethos where these needs are supported effectively.