Leverhulme Memorial School

Overview

The inspection found that the acting Head of School leads “very effectively with integrity, sensitivity and a strong focus on solutions,” supported by staff who prioritise children’s best interests. Children are described as “enthusiastic and eager learners” who benefit from high-quality experiences and make effective progress in literacy, numeracy, and wellbeing through Gàidhlig and English. The report confirms the school has the capacity to continue improving, with no further visits planned by Education Scotland.

Strengths

• The acting Head of School and staff make “regular and well-judged use of self-evaluation” and maintain high standards of professional learning.
• Children develop “thorough real-life knowledge and skills that are local to their island,” promoting wellbeing and equality.
• Staff provide “clear explanations” that greatly assist children’s progress in literacy and numeracy.
• In the nursery, staff use “high-quality interactions and Gàidhlig to support children’s play.”

Areas to improve

• Develop processes in the nursery to enable staff to identify successes and next steps for improvement.
• Continue to re-establish full-time nursery provision to support fluency in Gàidhlig through total immersion.
• Raise attainment and enhance children’s skills in analysing texts and debating issues.
• Develop assessment approaches to record progress across all curriculum areas.

Safeguarding

The report states that staff have “the best interests of children at the forefront of their work” and that the setting promotes wellbeing and equality, with the Care Inspectorate noting a requirement to ensure care is consistent with Health and Social Care Standards.