External Education Establishment Inspection Report
Argyll and Bute Council · 28 August 2025
Back to Community Services Committee — 28 August 2025 and its agenda
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Classification: OFFICIAL ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE EDUCATION 28 AUGUST 2025 EXTERNAL EDUCATION ESTABLISHMENT INSPECTION REPORT 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 This report provides details of all external education establishment inspection reports received across Argyll and Bute Education Service during the period June 2025 to August 2025. 1.2 It is recommended that the Community Services Committee notes: a) The contents of this report; b) This quarterly report will be presented on an ongoing basis to the Community Services Committee detailing all establishment inspections conducted and published by Education Scotland within that period, and c) That Ward members will receive copies of school inspection reports for schools within their area as published by Education Scotland.
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Classification: OFFICIAL ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE EDUCATION 28 AUGUST 2025 EXTERNAL EDUCATION ESTABLISHMENT INSPECTION REPORT 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 This report provides details of all external education establishment inspection reports received across Argyll and Bute Education Service during June 2025 to August 2025. 2.2 As required for the National Improvement Framework, HMIE report on and provide grades for the following Quality Indicators (QIs) as part of full model inspections (which typically take place over a full school week): QI 1.3 – leadership of change; QI 2.3 – learning, teaching and assessment; QI 3.1 – ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion; and QI 3.2 – raising attainment and achievement In addition, they include a focus on the following themes from other QIs: QI 2.2 curriculum: learning pathways QI 2.7 partnerships: parental engagement 2.3 Short model inspections (typically over two and a half days) focus on two QIs: QI 2.3 – learning, teaching and assessment; and QI 3.2 – raising attainment and achievement HMIE continue to have a focus on safeguarding in every inspection. An inspection advice note issued in January 2024 advised that Inspectors intended to strengthen the evidence they gather about relationships and behaviour in schools and settings during inspections notified from week beginning 15 January 2024. This evidence is being gathered in a range of ways, including through an updated child protection and safeguarding evaluation form. In addition to the inspection advice note, schools have been provided with supporting local authority guidance.
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Classification: OFFICIAL 2.4 In inspections of early learning and childcare settings, HMIE use the equivalent QIs from ‘How Good Is Our Early Learning and Childcare?’ 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is recommended that the Community Services Committee notes: a) The contents of this report; b) This quarterly report will be presented on an ongoing basis to the Community Services Committee detailing all establishment inspections conducted and published by Education Scotland within that period, and c) That Ward members will receive copies of school inspection reports for schools within their area as published by Education Scotland. 4.0 DETAIL – School Inspections 4.1 Rothesay Joint Campus was inspected the week beginning 10th March 2025 using the full model of inspection. The school received positive feedback from the Managing Inspector with specific reference to: Staff foster and value a strong sense of community across the school and island. They work well with community partners to ensure children and young people develop their sense of belonging and identify well with their school community. Senior leaders and staff foster positive relationships with children and young people. They help children and young people to develop as individuals and recognise their role in supporting children and young people’s sense of wellbeing. In the nursery setting, practitioners provide interesting and stimulating outdoor learning spaces which promote well children’s curiosity and creativity. Young people requiring additional support, including those who are new to Rothesay, benefit from a range of support available to them provided by staff and partners. The published letter and Summary of Inspection Findings (SIF) are available on Education Scotland’s Website using the following link: Rothesay Joint Campus | Inspection Report | Education Scotland 4.2 Salen Primary and ELC was inspected the week beginning 24th March 2025 using the full model of inspection. The school received positive feedback from the Managing Inspector with specific reference to: The headteacher and staff, across the school and pre-five unit, who work well together to create positive, respectful and trusting relationships with children, parents and the community. There is a welcoming, caring and inclusive ethos across the whole school as a result. Children who are proud of their school and pre-five unit. They are polite, well-mannered and welcoming to visitors. They engage well in their learning.
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Classification: OFFICIAL Staff within the sgoil-àraich who use a range of total immersion approaches to support children’s increasing fluency. The published letter and Summary of Inspection Findings (SIF) are available on Education Scotland’s Website using the following link: Bun sgoil an-t-Sailein (Salen Primary School) | Inspection Report | Education Scotland 4.3 Lochgilphead Joint Campus had a follow up visit by HMIe inspectors the week beginning 19th May. The team of inspectors conducted the inspection to consider progress that had been made against the six areas for improvement identified in the initial inspection. The inspection team met with groups of staff, pupils, parents/carers and partners. In addition, they undertook a range of classroom observations and examined evidence of progress collated by the school. Inspectors will carry out a further visit in 18-24 months. The link to the published letter will be accessible when this has been finalised and is available on Education Scotland’s Website. 4.4 Bunessan Primary School and ELC was inspected the week beginning 19th May using a full model inspection. The link to the published letter and Summary of Inspection Findings (SIF) will be accessible when these documents have been finalised and are available on Education Scotland’s Website. 4.5 Rhu Primary School and ELC was inspected the week beginning 2nd June using a short model inspection. The school received positive feedback from the Managing Inspector with specific reference to: Across the school, children are confident and articulate. They are polite, well-mannered and welcoming to visitors and very proud of their school. Staff work very well together to create positive, respectful and trusting relationships with children, parents and the community. They ensure a calm and purposeful learning environment where children want to do well and achieve. Children benefit from a wide range of opportunities to achieve. Staff have developed effective links with a range of community partners to support the delivery of these opportunities. The published letter and Summary of Inspection Findings (SIF) are available on Education Scotland’s Website using the following link: Rhu Primary School | Inspection Report | Education Scotland
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Classification: OFFICIAL 4.6 Rosneath Primary School and ELC was inspected the week beginning 2nd June using a short model inspection. The link to the published letter and Summary of Inspection Findings (SIF) will be accessible when these documents have been finalised and are available on Education Scotland’s Website. 4.7 A summary of all external school inspection audit reports published by Education Scotland across Argyll and Bute Education Service establishments during the period June 2025 to August 2025 is provided in Appendix 1. 4.8 A summary of the inspection outcomes per establishment detailing strengths and areas for improvement is provided in Appendix 2. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 In summary, currently one published report is available from the five inspections and one re-visit that took place during the period of March 2025 to August 2025. 5.2 The Education Service will continue to use the outcomes of establishment inspections to work collaboratively with our Head Teachers to target support and challenge to secure improvement for our children and young people. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy – The Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000 places a duty on Education Authorities to provide children and young people with school education and (in terms of raising standards) requires Authorities to endeavor to secure improvement in the quality of that school education. 6.2 Financial – None 6.3 Legal – None 6.4 HR – None 6.5 Customer Service – The outcome of establishment inspections of the Education Service of Argyll and Bute Council may significantly enhance or detract from the Council’s reputation and attractiveness as an area to work and live in. 6.6 Risk – Reputational risk to the Education Service following a weak report. 6.7 Climate Change - None 6.8 Fairer Scotland Duty: – None 6.9 Equalities - protected characteristics – None
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Classification: OFFICIAL 6.10 Consumer Duty – None 6.11 Island Communities - None 6.12 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Article 28 – I have the right to an education Article 29 – I have the right to an education which develops my personality, talents and abilities Douglas Hendry - Executive Director with responsibility for Education Audrey Forrest - Policy Lead for Education Jennifer Crocket Chief Education Officer Head of Education: Wellbeing, Inclusion and Achievement Jennifer.Crocket@argyll-bute.gov.uk Wendy Brownlie Head of Education: Performance and Improvement Wendy.Brownlie@argyll-bute.gov.uk For further information please contact:- Simone McAdam, Education Manager Email: Simone.McAdam@argyll-bute.gov.uk July 2025 Appendices Appendix 1 - Overview of Inspection Outcomes Appendix 2 - Summary of Inspection Outcomes
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Classification: OFFICIAL Appendix 1 - Overview of Inspection Outcomes Leadership of Change Learning, Teaching and Assessment Ensuring Wellbeing, Equality and Inclusion Raising Attainment and Achievement Establishment Sector Date of Inspection 1.3 2.3 3.1 3.2 Rothesay Joint Campus School March 2025 weak satisfactory satisfactory weak Rothesay Joint Campus ELC ELC March 2025 weak satisfactory satisfactory satisfactory Salen Primary School March 2025 satisfactory weak satisfactory weak Salen ELC ELC March 2025 satisfactory satisfactory satisfactory good Bunessan Primary School May 2025 not yet published not yet published not yet published not yet published Bunessan ELC ELC May 2025 not yet published not yet published not yet published not yet published Rhu Primary School May 2025 good good Rosneath Primary School June 2025 not yet published not yet published Rosneath ELC ELC June 2025 not yet published not yet published
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Classification: OFFICIAL The Six-point Scale for Inspection Grading Excellent 6 Very Good 5 Good 4 Satisfactory 3 Weak 2 Unsatisfactory 1 Appendix 2 - Summary of Inspection Outcomes Report Title: Salen Primary School and ELC Bun-Sgoil agus Sgoil-Àraich an t-Sàilein Inspection Agency: Education Scotland
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Classification: OFFICIAL Key Findings: The inspection team found the following strengths in the school’s work. • The headteacher and staff, across the school and pre-five unit, who work well together to create positive, respectful and trusting relationships with children, parents and the community. There is a welcoming, caring and inclusive ethos across the whole school as a result. • Children who are proud of their school and pre-five unit. They are polite, well-mannered and welcoming to visitors. They engage well in their learning. • Staff within the sgoil-àraich who use a range of total immersion approaches to support children’s increasing fluency. The following areas for improvement were identified and discussed with the headteacher and a representative from Argyll and Bute Council. • Develop clear processes to support the identification, delivery and review of improvement priorities in the school and pre-five unit. Improve approaches to planning children’s learning experiences in the school and pre-five unit. Staff should include children more fully in planning learning. • Improve the standards of learning, teaching and assessment across the school. Ensure that all learning activities across the school are matched effectively to children’s needs. Children need to be better supported and challenged in their learning. • Raise attainment in literacy and numeracy across the school. In doing so, teachers need to develop a better understanding of national standards. Date of Inspection: March 2025 Lead Officer to take forward improvement: Mairi Maclean - Headteacher Central Officer to support improvement: Rachel Binnie – Education Manager