Milne's Primary School inspection report

School inspectors have said they are confident that improvements will continue to be made at a Moray primary.

They found pupils at Milne’s Primary in Fochabers to be motivated and articulate while the caring staff provided a supportive atmosphere for learning.

The inspectors, whose report is published today, said acting head Anne Duff had worked well with staff, parents and pupils and in her short time in post had identified appropriate priorities for school improvement.

Together with the new depute head, she was at the early stages of leading change in these areas.

The report said: “Across the school, all staff work well as a team and are committed to improving the school and welcome opportunities to learn and improve their skills.”

Staff provided a supportive and positive ethos that was helping children to develop and learn well and at all stages in the school children were offered a broad and balanced range of learning experiences in line with Curriculum for Excellence guidance.

“Recent work on health and wellbeing, French and outdoor learning is resulting in improved experiences and outcomes for children and the school now needs to continue to develop other areas of the curriculum to ensure that children build on what they already know.”

Tasks and activities provided by staff met the needs of most children although in a few classes the pace of learning could be brisker and learning could be more challenging.

“We are satisfied with the overall quality of provision,” the report concluded. “We are confident that most of the school’s self-evaluation processes are leading to improvements.

“With the appointment of a permanent head teacher, the school, with support from Moray Council, will be able to make the necessary improvements.”

Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 92,500 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.

Headquartered in Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.