A troubled north-east school, which was given a damning report by inspectors last year, has developed a “much clearer sense of purpose and direction”.
The verdict is contained in a fresh report, published yesterday by Education Scotland, following a follow-up visit to Markethill School in Turriff.
Inspection teams examined the site – which consists of a primary school, nursery and pupil support unit – in April last year and graded it “weak” in four out of eight categories.
The latest report revealed a range of improvements in the school’s performance.
Pupils are making better progress, as a result of improved approaches to teaching and learning.
Inspectors also found the approach of the teaching staff to meeting youngsters’ learning needs had improved, with a “positive and caring ethos” in place.
Improvements are still required in certain areas, such as numeracy, but inspectors say they are confident “work already undertaken can now support further improvements in children’s experiences and achievements”.
Last night, Turriff and district councillor Sandy Duncan said the school’s progress in the past year had been “gratifying”.
He added: “That this has been achieved in spite of staffing difficulties is testament to the hard work, and effort, of the head teacher who has not been very long in post.
“The staff, longer term and recently appointed, have to be congratulated for their dedication and hard work in moving the school forward. I have every confidence the improvement will continue.
“I base that confidence on the much improved atmosphere that now prevails and the determination of the head, and staff, to keep it going.”
Andrew Griffin, Aberdeenshire Council’s head of primary education, added: “I am pleased to note that the school has been praised for supporting the children to make better progress in their learning as a result of consistent improvements to teaching and learning.
“The school’s approach to meeting children’s learning needs is now of a consistently high quality in the nursery, pupil support unit and primary.”
In March, councillors approved a £12.2million replacement school for Markethill, which is over capacity by almost 100 pupils.
Teaching at the current site is due to end by July 2017.