News / Cunningsburgh and Sandness schools inspected
THE CUNNINGSBURGH and Sandness primary schools have been given a generally good rating from inspectors.
However, the leadership of change category at Cunningsburgh’s early learning and childcare was deemed “weak” – while some other areas across the two schools received ‘satisfactory’ evaluations.
Inspectors visited the schools in May for discussions with parents/carers and children, the head teacher and staff.
Inspectors evaluated the following areas: leadership of change, learning, teaching and assessment, raising attainment and achievement and wellbeing, equality and inclusion.
Sandness Primary School was received ‘good’ evaluations for three of the categories and a ‘satisfactory’ rating for raising attainment and achievement.
Cunningsburgh Primary School also received three ‘good’ ratings – but its evaluation for leadership of change was described as ‘satisfactory’.
The school’s nursery class was deemed weak in leadership of change, satisfactory in securing children’s progress and learning, teaching and assessment, and good in ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion.
Inspectors said the nursery class needed additional support and time to make improvements, with a further inspection due next year. A survey of parents at the nursery, however, showed a high level of satisfaction.
Both schools were praised for having a number of strengths, while they also given areas for improvement.
Shetland Islands Council’s education and families committee chairman George Smith said the local authority “welcomes external scrutiny in any form, to help us evaluate the quality of the services we provide to our children in Shetland”.
“Education Scotland inspectors have supported Sandness and Cunningsburgh Primary Schools to identify their educational strengths and also areas where further improvement work needs to be targeted,” he added.
“I want to thank all staff concerned for their hard work and I am sure they will take on board all the advice they have received, and continue to improve the quality of the teaching and learning they are providing.
“I am committed to ensuring Shetland Islands Council provide the necessary resources to our schools to enable all our young people to achieve their potential.”
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