A tiny rural primary school in Moray has received “one of the best” report cards in the region in recent years.
Inspectors ranked all the aspects at Tomintoul Primary School as either “good” or “very good” in findings published yesterday.
At the same time the Care Inspectorate gave all the areas, including quality of care, environment, staffing and management, at the nursery top marks.
Moray Council has hailed the inspection report for school, which has only 40 pupils, as “one of the best in recent years”.
A “welcoming” atmosphere in the classrooms was found to get the best out of students, who remain motivated when working in small groups.
Children in the village explained to inspectors that their learning has helped them to become more confident in every day life.
Strong bonds being built with the Glenlivet Crown Estate were found to have created opportunities for youngsters to learn about their local area.
In a report, inspector Louise Turnbull praised the drive of staff to continue to improve learning at the school and nursery.
She said: “The school has a strong emphasis on learning which supports an active, safe and healthy lifestyle and which increasingly enables children to develop the necessary independence to make decisions and choices for themselves.
“Regular access to practical food preparation allows children to apply their learning in a meaningful and purposeful context, often preparing food they have grown themselves.
“They are aware that they do not always apply their learning about healthy food choices to the meals they select at lunchtime, particularly in vegetables.”
Inspectors have encouraged teachers to develop flexible lesson plans for all children, ensure improvements focus on pupils and to continue to work to increase classroom attainment.
Last night Moray MP Douglas Ross congratulated the head teacher and the rest of the staff at the school and nursery for the “very positive” inspection results.
He said: “It was pleasing to read that the standard of leadership, partnership working with parents and carers, as well as involvement of the local community were all highlighted by the inspectors.
“The wellbeing of the children was also singled out as being central to the working ethos of the school, which has obviously proven to be a positive recipe for success along with hard work.”