Lochmaben School

Overview

The inspection found a "nurturing ethos" in the primary school where children are "valued and included," with positive relationships supporting wellbeing. However, the nursery class received "weak" evaluations across all quality indicators, prompting requirements for immediate improvement in care, safety, and leadership.

Strengths

• The headteacher has created a "nurturing ethos" where "positive relationships between staff and children support children’s wellbeing well."
• Children are described as "polite, well-mannered, friendly and welcoming," contributing effectively to school life.
• Staff in the learning centre have developed "effective approaches to teaching literacy and numeracy," positively impacting progress.
• All staff support children to understand "how their wellbeing and rights relate to their daily experiences."

Areas to improve

• Nursery leadership requires support to review staffing and routines to better meet children's wellbeing needs.
• Nursery staff must improve the quality of experiences to increase children's interest in play and learning, and use assessment evidence to plan effectively.
• Senior leaders must review curriculum guidance to ensure progressive skill development and improve attainment in literacy and numeracy.

Safeguarding

The Care Inspectorate issued two requirements for the nursery to ensure children receive "appropriate care and support" through personal plans and that the environment is "safe and secure," including secure access to play areas.