Miller Primary get mixed bag in HMIE report

Jan 27 2010 by Carla Callaghan, Rutherglen Reformer

A CASTLEMILK primary is to receive further visits after a follow-up report from school inspectors.

Miller Primary was praised in the HMIE report for its friendly and welcoming ethos, the behaviour of the children and the steps taken by staff to support the work of the pupils.

But the school curriculum needs some improvement.

The report said: “Children’s progress in English language and in mathematics is weak. A recent focus on improving children’s writing had made relatively little difference to the quality of children’s writing.

“Children enjoy talking about sports they watch on television, and about their hobbies. In class lessons, the majority listen well to their teachers.

“They do not read from a wide enough selection of reading books. More needs to be done to encourage children to read.

“Older children do not write at length or often enough and they spend too long planning their stories.

“In mathematics, they spend too much time completing worksheets and not enough time developing confidence in using number in real life situations. “Staff are beginning to make better use of the well-maintained and varied learning spaces. However, a shortage of basic materials such as jotters did not help them support children’s learning across the curriculum.

“The curriculum is weak and does not fully support children’s learning across all subject areas. For example, the programmes for English language and religious and moral education lack enough relevance for children.

“Some of the activities planned do not provide children with sufficient choice and challenge.

“Children have some interesting opportunities to develop enterprise skills. Recently, they sold their art work at a nearby shopping centre. By helping younger children in the playground older children gain confidence in working with and relating to others.

“Staff know which children need extra help with their learning. Support staff take very good care of all children and are kind and patient with them in classes and in the school playground.

“Almost all teachers are sensitive to the needs of individual children. They monitor and record their progress.”

Staff were praised in the report saying: “Staff have established useful links with professional agencies and community groups.

“As a result of these and other productive partnerships, the majority of children’s learning is being well supported. The school chaplain is a welcome visitor and contributor. His motivating assemblies help children know more about a range of faiths.”

The school’s head teacher, Linda Sommerville, is proud of her staff and pupils‘ achievements to date.

She said: “I am very pleased that it reflects the really hard work that has been carried out over the last few years to get the school on the right road - and the positive steps that have been taken which the inspectors recognised when they were here.”

Points to be improved at the school were the following:

Children’s attainment across the curriculum, particularly in English language and mathematics.

The quality of the curriculum.

The quality of learners’ experiences and in particular, the support for children who need leadership and the school’s approaches for planning for improvement.

The report concluded: “The school has improved aspects of its work since the original inspection. There has not yet been enough improvement in the curriculum, attainment and learning. As a result, we will continue to engage with the school and the education authority in monitoring progress.

“We will carry out a further follow through visit to the school within one year of the publication of this report, and will report to parents on the extent of the improvement that has been achieved.”