Alloway Primary school blasted by inspectors in report

Feb 5 2010 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

PRIMARY school kids in one of South Ayrshire’s most affluent areas are getting a poor education.

Alloway Primary school has been blasted in a report by Her Majesty’s Inspectors.

The report highlights a number of areas where the brand new £9.2 million school is falling short.

And it labels the standard of learning as “weak” with children and staff getting a raw deal.

The shock report strips bare the truth behind the new school build, which opened less than 12 months ago.

Now a catalogue of problems have been uncovered, with inspectors refusing to pull punches in a hard-hitting report, which states:

lStaff do not have high enough expectations of children’s attainment and achievement.

lHomework tasks are regular but lack variety and are at times not demanding enough.

lThe school needs to improve how complaints are handled and ensure it records and monitors them effectively.

lChildren are not clear about how to improve their work.

lChildren do not write well at length or for a range of topics.

lOverall most children are not yet actively involved in improving their school.

lParents feel the school does not take enough account of their views.

lChildren do not have enough chances to work independently or take responsibility for their learning.

lChildren do not have enough opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of diversity.

lRemits do not focus enough on providing sufficient support, challenge and guidance for staff.

lThere are not enough opportunities for staff and children to take lead roles within and beyond the classroom.

However, the school was praised for its spacious accommodation, pupils’ experience in the nursery class, the positive relationships between staff and children and its link with Robert Burns.

Hard-working and polite children who are eager to learn were also singled out for paise.

Inspectors will go back to the school within a year to check on progress.

And a further visit may also be made within two years.

Alloway is part of South Ayrshire Council’s £76 million PPP project aimed at revolutionising schools across the area.

When the purpose-built school opened in February last year, then-cabinet secretary Fiona Hyslop claimed: “There can be no better environment for the pupils here than this wonderful new building.”

But the stinging report has left both the school and council chiefs reeling.

Margo Williamson, head of Curriculum and Service Improvement, said: “HMIE inspections provide an opportunity to ensure we are getting it right for our pupils and delivering the first-class education they deserve.

“Where the inspections identify room for improvement as is the case with Alloway Primary, we take that very seriously indeed.

“Meeting learning needs is a key element of our educational provision and we are in the process of making a number of changes within the school to ensure we address the points raised by inspectors to ensure our pupils get a high quality experience.”

Chairman of the school’s parent council, David Hope, added: “Following the HMIe report, Alloway Parent Council will continue to work closely with the school and support staff on taking forward the action plan for improvement.

“We are pleased HMIe highlighted the hardworking, polite children who are eager to learn and the positive relationships of staff with children.”