Strathdon School

Overview

Education Scotland inspectors visited Strathdon Primary School in September 2025, finding a school with "good" performance in wellbeing and attainment, though "satisfactory" in leadership and teaching. The report highlights strong community partnerships and inclusive practices that support children’s learning and wellbeing. Inspectors expressed confidence in the school’s capacity to continue improving, meaning no further visits will be made in connection with this inspection.

Strengths

• Staff have built "strong ties" with the local community through "effective partnership working," helping children feel "valued members of the community."
• Teachers work effectively as a team, with new approaches to literacy helping to "close gaps in children’s attainment."
• The school provides "inclusive learning environments based on children’s rights," which supports wellbeing and helps overcome barriers to learning.
• Children are described as "enthusiastic, eager learners" with a "firm understanding of sustainability" and responsible citizenship.

Areas to improve

• The headteacher needs to provide "more strategic guidance" on improvement planning and further involve stakeholders in evaluating the school’s work.
• Staff should develop approaches to provide "consistent high-quality learning experiences" to ensure appropriate challenge for all children.
• Staff must continue developing assessment approaches for Curriculum for Excellence levels and share standards of attainment in literacy and numeracy with other schools.

Safeguarding

The report states that approaches to meet children’s needs through inclusive environments are "supporting children’s wellbeing" and helping them overcome barriers to learning.