Cairncastle Primary School

Overview

Cairncastle Primary School continues to demonstrate the capacity to identify and bring about improvement in the interest of all learners. The inspection confirmed that systematic processes are now in place to monitor and evaluate data, which has positively influenced classroom practice and student outcomes.

Strengths

• Systematic processes are established to monitor and evaluate qualitative and quantitative data to inform teaching and track individual progress.
• Children’s spelling has improved across the school as a result of using data to inform new approaches to learning and teaching.
• Younger children collaborate well during numeracy activities, applying mathematical language, skills, and knowledge during small group tasks.
• Younger pupils make independent choices and decisions to develop their own ideas during play-based learning.

Areas to improve

• The employing authority, school governors, and staff must plan for and manage issues related to the sustainability of school provision and the budget.
• Children in key stage 2 need to articulate their mathematical thinking and reasoning more confidently.
• Action plans require further development to include more measurable targets.

Safeguarding

The school provided evidence that the arrangements for safeguarding children reflect the guidance from the Department of Education.