Primary school and nursery praised by school inspectors
Inspectors have praised Antonine Primary School and Nursery Class for their welcoming atmosphere, strong leadership, and commitment to children's wellbeing and learning after a recent visit by Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate.
Inspectors have praised Antonine Primary School and Nursery Class for their welcoming atmosphere, strong leadership, and commitment to children's wellbeing and learning after a recent visit by Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate.
The inspection, which took place in January 2025, looked at different areas of the school and nursery’s work, rating seven areas as 'very good' and one as 'good'. Highlights from the inspectors included:
- A welcoming and positive environment built around the school’s vision, values, and children's rights, helping pupils feel confident, respected, and an important part of their school.
- Effective leadership from Headteacher Jacqueline McLaughlin and senior staff, who have created strong processes for improving the school and encourage contributions from both staff and pupils.
- A strong focus on the health and wellbeing of all children, making sure everyone’s needs are met in inclusive and supportive surroundings.
- Very good progress being made by pupils in both school and nursery, with opportunities to succeed and learn new skills.
Headteacher Jacqueline McLaughlin said:
We’re really pleased inspectors highlighted the hard work and effort everyone puts into our school and nursery.
“This includes all of our staff, our pupils and the wider community as a whole.
“Our strong ethos and commitment to inclusion ensure that all our children thrive in a supportive and stimulating environment and we look forward to continuing our journey of improvement and success.
Councillor Iain Sinclair, Falkirk Council’s spokesperson for Education, added:
Antonine Primary School and Nursery Class are doing a fantastic job focusing on children's wellbeing and achievements.
“The report highlights the school’s strong commitment to digital learning, with children effectively using technology to support and enhance their education.
“This great inspection result shows the teamwork and dedication from staff, pupils, and families and we will continue supporting the school as they build on these successes.
Inspectors also suggested areas to keep improving, including continuing to put planned improvements in place, build on consistent and high quality learning and teaching.
The report states that next steps for nursery are to build on children being involved in the nursery improvement plan
Education Scotland confirmed that no further inspections are necessary and expressed confidence in the school's continued improvements.
The full inspection report can be found on the Education Scotland website.