Mortlach Primary School updated inspection report

Moray Council has said it is committed to helping revive the fortunes of a Speyside primary school where inspectors continue to be dissatisfied with the pace of progress.

Senior education officials are confident that with ongoing support, Mortlach Primary at Dufftown will be able to address the issues raised by Education Scotland and move forward.

They will be working closely with acting head teacher Veronica Cunningham, who took up her post earlier this month and who in turn is looking forward to working closely with pupils, parents and staff to take forward the identified improvements.

The council’s head of schools and curriculum development, Vivienne Cross, said: “As an authority, we have provided significant input to the school in terms of supporting them to move forward and we are committed to continuing that support for as long as necessary.

“We recognise that there remain significant improvements to be made and that considerable work will be necessary to achieve the desired outcomes.

“However, by adopting a positive approach we are confident that by working together we will address the issues which the inspectors have identified at Mortlach Primary.”

Inspectors made their third follow-up visit to the school late last year following their original inspection in 2013.

In view of continuing shortcomings, they have indicated that they will return again at some point during the 2017-18 session.

Their latest inspection report, published today (Jan 24), states: “There remain significant weaknesses in the leadership of change and improvement within the school.

“Staff need guidance and direction to help them achieve a more positive impact for their pupils.”

The inspection visit found that the pace of improving the curriculum was such that national expectations were not being met and children were not receiving the entitlements that were part of Curriculum for Excellence.

The report said the school had made ‘insufficient progress’ since the original inspection and Education Scotland’s area lead officer would liaise with Moray Council regarding the school’s capacity to improve.

“We will carry out another inspection of the school during 2017-18 and in the interim we will engage in regular monitoring activities of the school,” it added.

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 95,510 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.