City school gets a good report from Education Scotland
29 June 2015
Ashley Road School in Aberdeen has received a good report following an inspection by Education Scotland.
During their visit in April 2015 inspectors spoke to parents and children and worked closely with the headteacher and school staff.
The inspection found the following key strengths:
Inspectors report that during lessons at the primary stages, children are very attentive and diligent. They ask sensible questions and respond positively to tasks which require teamwork and creative thinking. In the nursery children concentrate well on tasks and engage enthusiastically when given opportunities to plan and talk about their learning.
The school's accreditation as a Rights Respecting School and the recent fourth Eco Schools Scotland Green Flag are commendable achievements brought about by staff, children and parents working together. Across the nursery and primary stages, children demonstrate citizenship with their participation in very successful fundraising campaigns for children living in poverty or with significant health issues. Children at P7 are positive role models for younger children and are developing planning, organisational and communication skills acting as buddies, leading pupil forums and taking responsibility as play leaders.
Nursery and primary teachers and support staff work very well together and with specialist partners across the local authority to ensure children's needs are identified early and potential barriers to learning overcome.
The school has developed an appropriate curriculum for children in the nursery and at the primary stages which takes good account of Curriculum for Excellence guidance. Across all stages there is a focus on developing skills for learning, life and work.
Inspectors found all staff to be reflective and hardworking and with sound leadership from the headteacher and her deputes some important aspects of the school's work have been improved in recent years.
Inspectors discussed with staff and quality improvement officers at Aberdeen City Council how they might continue to improve the school. They agreed to:
Education Scotland inspectors are satisfied with the overall quality of provision and are confident that the school's self-evaluation processes are leading to improvement. As a result, there will be no further visits in connection with the inspection.
Aberdeen City Council's Convener of Education and Children's Services Councillor Angela Taylor, said: "I am delighted that HM Inspectors have recognised that the school is a diverse community which enhances children's learning and that staff are reflective, hardworking and keen to assume leadership roles."
Gayle Gorman, Director of Education and Children's Services, said: "This is a good report from HM Inspectors and I am pleased that the positive environment in which the pupils learn has been highlighted along with the commitment of the headteacher, her staff and the partnerships with parents, which also have a constructive impact on all the children's learning experience at the school."