Dunoon Primary School has received a positive and encouraging follow-up report from HMI inspectors following a return visit to the school.
The report pays tribute to a number of improvements and describes the school as having a calm and purposeful ethos. Pupils are described as being well behaved and polite, and feel confident that their views are welcomed, listened to and acted upon. More clubs have been created to represent a wider variety of interests and the children have reported that they enjoy having more say in their learning journey.
Inspectors praised the head teacher for providing the school with stability and a focus on continuous improvement. Parents, pupils and staff all talk warmly about her commitment to the school and feel positive about the considerable changes she has made, or is planning.
During the inspection, it was noted that parents and children are more involved and clearer learning targets have been set for pupils to achieve. There is now an improving approach to planning and assessment, and this has resulted in a more engaging experience for the children.
Staff are described as being committed to increasing their own skills and knowledge and they work with each other, and with colleagues from other schools, to ensure that children are working at the right level.
Overall, the report praises staff and pupils on the changes made to the school, and inspectors are confident that the actions taken to date are the right steps required to move the whole school forward.
Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly said: “What a great report for Dunoon Primary. We want our children and young people have the very best start in life and positive reports such as this make me feel like we’re on the right path to success.
“It’s clear that staff have been working extremely hard to make improvements for our young people and they should be very proud of what they have achieved. This is a great report and I have no doubt that Dunoon Primary School will continue to go from strength to strength. Well done!”