CULROSS PRIMARY has achieved some of the highest marks recorded in a Government inspector’s report in Fife for years.

The school had major strengths in no fewer than 13 out of 14 key areas, including teaching, equality and fairness.

The report was described by one councillor as “outstanding,” given the fact the school was told to pull its socks up some years ago.

Inspectors visited the school, which has a role of about 70, in May this year as part of a national sample.

They found the school’s key strengths included:

*Very high levels of achievement, including pupils’ attainment in English language and mathematics.

*The commitment of staff to pupils’ care and welfare and the very positive relationships they had established with the children.

*Pupils’ enthusiastic response to active and collaborative learning tasks.

*Well-planned educational experiences to develop pupils as successful and confident learners and effective contributors to the life of the school.

*The head teacher’s inclusive vision and her focus on improving the quality of pupils’ educational experience.

They noted the quality of teaching was “very good” and also highlighted the emphasis the school placed on healthy eating and regular exercise.

If there was any criticism, it was that the school lacked disabled access to its upper floor and there could be a significant build up in heat in classrooms on warm days. There was also a lack of storage space.

However, the school was said to be well resourced and the limitations in accommodation did not detract from the learning experiences offered.

The report stated, “Culross Primary School provided a very good quality of education for its pupils.”

William Walker, SNP councillor for the West Fife and Coastal Villages ward, said the report was “outstanding.”

He added, “It is unusual to see just so many positive statements about any school. It is exceptionally pleasing to note that the inspector identified very high levels of achievement in English language and numeracy.

“An ability to communicate and use numbers is essential to the learning and understanding of other subjects and areas of life.”

He added, “Culross Primary School was actually assessed as being of high standard across the whole range of quality indicators.

“In everyday language, the school was rated as very good in 13 out of the 14 topics the inspector looked at.

“This included such things as the curriculum itself, improvements in results and even how the youngsters enjoyed school.

“It is all very positive and a real beacon for other west Fife primary schools, especially as Culross wasn’t without a few problems itself a few years ago.

“The head teacher, just three years in post, and her staff deserve a big thank you for what they have achieved.”