Carleton Primary School

Overview

The inspection team found that children are “polite, friendly and welcoming” and proud of their school community, while staff work well together as a team. However, the report identifies significant weaknesses in leadership, curriculum planning, and behaviour management, noting that the school requires “additional support and more time to make necessary improvements.” Consequently, Education Scotland will liaise with Fife Council regarding the school’s capacity to improve and will return for a further inspection within one year.

Strengths

• Children are “keen to learn” and demonstrate pride in their school community.
• Staff collaborate effectively and are “keen to develop their individual and collective skills” to improve outcomes.
• Skilled pupil support assistants engage “very effectively in professional learning” to help children overcome barriers.

Areas to improve

• Improve strategic leadership by using feedback more effectively to guide school improvement and focusing on actions that make the biggest difference.
• Ensure consistently high-quality learning experiences with appropriate challenge and support to raise attainment.
• Provide a well-planned curriculum that builds skills and knowledge progressively.
• Strengthen systems to accurately identify and plan for children requiring additional support.
• Develop consistent expectations and strategies to promote positive behaviour and engagement.

Safeguarding

The report does not explicitly state specific findings regarding safeguarding practices, though it notes that the quality indicator for “Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion” was evaluated as “weak.”