EDUCATION inspectors have praised Fairlie Primary children and staff for their 'strong sense of belonging' and 'positive relationships', and are 'confident that the school has the capacity to continue to improve'.

In September 2024, a team of inspectors from Education Scotland visited the village primary school.

During the visit, they talked to parents, carers and children and worked closely with the headteacher and staff.

The school roll is 108 children across five classes.

Education Scotland’s evaluations for Fairlie Primary resulted in learning, teaching and assessment, and raising attainment and achievement, receiving a 'good' rating.

(Image: North Ayrshire Council)

Key strengths of the school highlighted in the report included 'the polite, respectful and responsible children who feel safe and included and are proud to be members of the school community'.

The report said: "Children across the school enjoy positive relationships with staff and peers and are very well behaved.

"Children who are engaged in their learning. They work well independently and with other children. Almost all children are eager to learn and they participate actively in lessons.

"The supportive and reflective staff team know the children and families very well and are committed to improving outcomes for children. There is a strong sense of belonging across the school community.''

Areas for improvement were identified and discussed with the headteacher and a representative from North Ayrshire Council, including: "The headteacher and teachers should ensure that learning activities provide the correct level of difficulty for all children.

"This will help to support children to make the best possible progress in their learning and raise attainment.

"The headteacher and teachers should improve approaches to tracking and monitoring children’s progress. This will help them to identify attainment gaps and overall trends and support their planning for improvement."

The report concluded: "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.

"North Ayrshire Council will inform parents and carers about the school’s progress as part of its arrangements for reporting on the quality of its schools."

The Education Scotland website states: "An evaluation of good means that there are important strengths within the school’s work yet there remains some aspects which require improvement.

"The strengths have a significantly positive impact on almost all children and young people. The quality of learners’ experiences is diminished in some way by aspects in which improvement is required.

"It implies that the school should seek to improve further the areas of important strength, and also take action to address the areas for improvement."