10 May 2016
Dear Parent/Carer
Our Lady’s RC Primary School
Stirling Council
Recently, as you may know, my colleagues and I inspected your child’s school. During
our visit, we talked to parents and children and worked closely with the headteacher
and staff. We wanted to find out how well children are learning and achieving and how
well the school supports children to do their best. The headteacher shared with us the
school’s successes and priorities for improvement. We looked at some particular
aspects of the school’s recent work, including how staff work together effectively to
meet the learning needs of all children and ensure that they achieve success in their
learning. As a result, we were able to find out how good the school is at improving
children’s education.
How well do children learn and achieve?
Across all stages in the school, children have very positive learning experiences. They
enjoy school and are well motivated as learners. They are enthusiastic, active and
eager to do their best. All members of the school community feel they are treated with
fairness and respect. There is a very strong and shared, positive ethos across the
school which is based on Catholic values. Relationships between staff and children
are very positive. Children are treated with care and respect at all times. Children feel
safe and happy at school and are confident that adults will help them when needed.
The children are very proud of their school and strive to do well.
Children regularly work in pairs, cooperative learning groups and as a whole class.
When working in groups, they are skilled in taking on a variety of roles and are
encouraged to talk, listen and respond appropriately. Children contribute to the life of
the school through taking on leadership roles on groups and committees such as
Junior Road Safety Officers (JRSOs), the Pupil Council, Eco Committee and the
Sports Council. Children said they would like to be more involved in groups and
committees so that they all have the chance to be a part of influencing improvements
in the school. They would also like to further develop school house activities in order
to ensure the participation of all.
At all stages children are making good progress in developing literacy skills. Almost all
listen very attentively and can explain their thinking and ideas clearly. Children’s
writing is of a high quality and presented to a high standard. Children use vocabulary
well to express ideas and to write descriptions. Those children who have English as
an additional language are making good progress in their learning and building their
knowledge of language. Overall, children apply their reading skills well across the
Education Scotland
W1 Spur
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0131 244 8424
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Transforming lives through learning
curriculum and are encouraged to read for enjoyment. They can talk well about
authors they like and what it is they like about their writing. Throughout the school,
children are also making good progress in developing numeracy skills. Active learning
approaches and well-planned learning and teaching are supporting children to develop
a good understanding of a range of mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills.
We have asked the school to continue its work in raising standards in literacy and
numeracy. We have also asked staff to ensure that children have the opportunity to
apply their numeracy skills in real-life contexts.
Across the school, children understand the importance of an active and healthy
lifestyle. They understand the benefits of physical activity and can discuss ways the
school helps them to develop positive self-esteem. Children involved in the Big Noise
music project described how their involvement is enabling them to develop confidence
and positive relationships. They are well informed about how to keep themselves safe
on the internet and social media. They are increasing their awareness and
understanding of sectarianism and discrimination and through doing so, developing
respect for others. Children are encouraged to make healthier food choices. Their
understanding of the importance of different food groups in a balanced diet should now
be further developed.
How well does the school support children to develop and learn?
Throughout the school, there is a nurturing, supportive ethos that enables children to
achieve and flourish as confident learners. In almost all instances, children’s learning
needs are supported very effectively. We have asked staff to continue to share their
effective practices with one another to ensure continued improvements in children’s
learning. Children feel safe and well supported by staff. The additional support needs
of children are identified early and addressed effectively by staff and partners using a
wide range of well-planned approaches. Support staff work closely with children and
provide very good support. There is scope to further develop the use of the knowledge
support staff gain through working closely with children. We have asked the
headteacher to ensure that all members of staff continue to develop their role in
providing effective support and challenge for all children.
The school, along with parents, children and partners, is developing its curriculum with
a clear sense of purpose. This is consistent with Curriculum for Excellence and the
school’s Catholic values which put the needs of children first. Staff provide children
with interesting opportunities for developing their skills in literacy, numeracy and health
and wellbeing. A high emphasis is placed on health and wellbeing and staff work well
with a range of partners who provide opportunities for children in this area. These
include members of the emergency services, Creative Flare (internet safety) and
Active Schools. There is a range of effective partnerships in the school, for example,
the Big Noise, Active Stirling and the Raploch Improvement partnership which are
providing valuable experiences for children which help them make progress in their
learning. We have asked the school to continue with its plans to involve parents and
partners in further developing a shared understanding of what everyone wants to
achieve for children through its curriculum. We have also asked staff to consider
closely how best to plan children’s learning across different contexts and subjects.
This will ensure that children have a clear understanding of what they are learning and
how different aspects of their learning connect together.
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How well does the school improve the quality of its work?
The acting headteacher has worked with staff to establish a very positive and
productive atmosphere in the school where expectations and standards are high. She
has developed very positive relationships with staff, parents and partners and is highly
respected. She has provided staff with opportunities for leadership and supported
collaborative professional learning effectively across the school. Together staff have a
strong vision for improvement and a shared understanding of what needs to be done
to secure the improvement sought. There is an impressive level of professional
learning and collaborative working which is based around the needs of children. The
professional culture in the school is one where staff are well motivated to improve their
practice and create positive conditions for children to succeed in their learning. The
school has effective approaches to evaluating its work and planning for improvement.
We have asked staff to monitor the impact of recent improvements on children’s
learning so that they can understand which aspects of their teaching are having the
most positive impact.
This inspection found the following key strengths.
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
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Staff have worked hard to establish and maintain a calm purposeful atmosphere
which is caring, welcoming and motivates children to take an active role in their
learning.
The needs of all children are carefully considered, well understood and met
effectively by staff who value all children and live their school values in their daily
practice.
Exemplary commitment to professional learning and collaborative working.
We discussed with staff and Stirling Council how they might continue to improve the
school. This is what we agreed with them.


Further develop a shared understanding of what everyone wants to achieve for
children through the curriculum and how best to plan children’s learning across
different contexts and subjects.
Continue to develop progression pathways for all children with an increased focus
on skills for learning, life and work.
What happens at the end of the inspection?
We are satisfied with the overall quality of provision. We are confident that the
school’s self-evaluation processes are leading to improvements. As a result, we will
make no further visits in connection with this inspection. As part of its arrangements
for reporting to parents on the quality of education, Stirling Council will inform parents
about the school’s progress.
David Drysdale
HM Inspector
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Additional inspection evidence, such as details of the quality indicator evaluations, for
your school can be found on the Education Scotland website at
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/inspectionandreview/reports/school/primsec/OurL
adysRCPrimarySchoolStirlingStirling.asp
If you would like to receive this letter in a different format, for example, in a translation
please contact the administration team on the above telephone number.
If you want to give us feedback or make a complaint about our work, please contact us
by telephone on 0141 282 5000, or e-mail: complaints@educationscotland.gsi.gov.uk
or write to us addressing your letter to the Complaints Manager, Denholm House,
Almondvale Business Park, Livingston EH54 6GA.
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