Improved school out of special measures

11:27am Wednesday 19th March 2008

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INTACK Primary School has been taken out of special measures after Government inspectors found "improvement in all aspects of the school's work".

The Whitebirk Road school was labelled as failing in March, 2006, due to poor standards and attendance, the second time it had been placed in special measures.

Subsequent monitoring visits showed the school was making good progress, and the latest inspection found that every area of school life was now good or satisfactory.

The report praises leader-ship and management at the school - led by headteacher Linda McLanachan - and rated the foundation stage and curriculum as good.

Attendance had improved, and pupils were now proud of their school and keen to learn.

Inspectors said most child-ren enter the school with below average skills and knowledge, but progressed well thanks to good lesson planning and teaching that focused on speaking, listening and social skills.

The report said: "The leadership of the head-teacher, during a very difficult period has been very effective in maintaining the drive to improve and raise standards.

"The school provides satisfactory value for money and has good capacity to improve further."

Mrs McLanachan, who was brought in after the school was put in special measures, has welcomed the report.

She said: "I am proud to be the headteacher of Intack primary.

"The staff, pupils, parents and governors all believed in our school and we have faced the challenges.

"My staff have all worked tirelessly to move the school forward and we're delighted now to be acknowledged as a school worthy of praise.

"The children have been a credit to the school, and I would like to thank them, and everyone involved,"

Intack Primary was first put into special measures in 1996, and improved enough to have them lifted two years later.