Staff and pupils celebrate their ‘outstanding’ report

The inspection, carried out by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI), focused on the children’s achievements and standards; the quality of provision; and the quality of leadership and management. It rated the school ‘outstanding’ in all three areas - the highest performance grade awarded by the ETI.

Among its key findings, the report states: “The children clearly enjoy their nursery experiences and are developing very positive attitudes and dispositions for learning. They are making very good progress in their overall learning and development in line with the Curricular Guidance for Pre-School Education.

“The children are developing very well in their language and communications skills, with many children being confident and articulate when talking to staff, and each other. A majority of the children use their good conversational skills to communicate their ideas well and develop their imaginative play to a high level.”

The inspection also found that children who require additional support with aspects of their learning are very well supported by the well trained staff and are integrated well into the nursery environment.

In terms of provision, the inspectors commented: “The outstanding pastoral care is exemplified by the happy, inclusive and child-centred ethos which values and respects each child. There are very good working relationships across the whole school community.”

The nursery school was also considered to be “well organised and effectively managed”, with each playroom being used to its full potential, providing richly resourced and accessible areas for learning.

“The school is led and managed very effectively by the principal who is highly reflective and enthusiastic about developing high quality child-centred pre-school education. The whole staff team are clear about their roles and responsibilities and all contribute well to the strong team approach,” the report adds.

It concludes: “In the areas inspected, the quality of education provided by this nursery school is outstanding; the quality of pastoral care is also outstanding. The nursery school has demonstrated its capacity for sustained self–improvement.”

Mrs Julia Henderson, principal of the Hazelburn Road school, commented: “I am extremely proud of my pupils and staff and I thank each of them for their invaluable contribution to the school.

“Each and every one of them is responsible for the school having such a positive inspection.

“Each child is important to us and we will strive to continue providing a first class education to our pupils.”