A PRIMARY school north of Oban has passed its follow-up visit from inspectors – and will not receive any more.

Strath of Appin Primary School was originally visited by Education Scotland officials in August 2023, with various areas for improvement agreed with the school and Argyll and Bute Council.

A recent follow-up visit took place, and inspectors have now revealed that the appropriate improvements are felt to have been made.

It has been agreed that the school will not  be subject to another visit, with the council keeping parents informed on progress.

An inspector said in the report that one of the key areas for improvement was the pace of improving key areas of the school and nursery.

They said: “Across the school, the head teacher is leading the staff well to make clearer progress with this area for improvement. The head teacher and staff should continue to focus on a few key areas where children’s attainment needs to be raised.

“The staff team have increased their use of arrangements for evaluating their practice. They need to continue using these arrangements thoroughly for more impact over time.

“The head teacher has been in post for a year. Parents/carers are positive about the headteacher’s ‘can do’ approach. Children and parents/carers feel consulted on matters that are important to them.

“Across the school, senior leaders, staff, parents/carers and children are renewing the school values and aims. The staff team should ensure that the school’s aims include all that underpins the life and work of their school.”

Raising children’s attainment was another area for improvement, with the inspector remarking: “All children’s attainment has been raised in some aspects, but gaps still remain in attainment. Across the school, the headteacher maintains a detailed check of all children’s progress and attainment.

“Teachers and children have conversations to help children know their next steps in learning. This is at an early stage.

“Practitioners in the pre-five unit are clearer on children’s progress through sharper observations of children’s learning and progress in literacy and numeracy.

“Across the whole school, most children are making appropriate progress in numeracy and mathematics. Children who exceed in second level of CfE (Curriculum for Excellence) are beginning to work on third level outcomes in numeracy and mathematics.

“Children use their learning and skills across a variety of contexts, such as enterprise and events.

“Children’s progress in literacy and Gàidhlig is improving. At the early level, children use Gàidhlig to socialise, follow instructions and give personal information. Children are encouraged to answer questions with improved grammar. This remains an area for development.”

The inspector concluded: “The school has made good progress since the original inspection. We are confident that the school has the capacity to continue to improve and so we will make no more visits in connection with this inspection.

“Argyll and Bute Council will inform parents about the school’s progress as part of its arrangements for reporting on the quality of its schools.”