The report on St Timothy’s Primary School and Nursery Class, published today (Tuesday 25 March, 2008), is the best ever for a Glasgow primary - and one of the best for any school in Scotland.

St Timothy’s received 6 ‘excellent’ ratings - for Pastoral Care, Climate and Relationships, Expectations and Promoting Achievement, Equality and Fairness, Partnership with Parents, the Parent Council and the Community and Leadership of the Headteacher.

Of the other nine quality indicators, eight were rated “very good”.

Significantly, the only one which was anything other than ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ at the 306-pupil school was Accommodation and Facilities - so not a reflection of the quality of education provided.

The report means St Timothy’s - in one of Scotland’s most deprived areas - has been recognised as being among the best schools in the country.

Head teacher Laura McLean stressed that the report was the result of an outstanding team effort.

“Everyone associated with the school is obviously delighted and extremely proud. This report is a wonderful acknowledgement of the hard work carried out on a daily basis by staff, children and the wider St Timothy’s community,” she said.

“It also recognises the tremendous support given to the school by parents, parish priests and the many local community groups and businesses who have given their time and energy in supporting various citizenship and enterprise education projects.

 
“Our aim is to provide the highest possible quality of education, and to encourage all children to reach their full potential both as learners and as individuals.

“The challenge for us now is to maintain and further improve on the standards we have set. Everyone at St Timothy’s looks forward to taking up that challenge.”

The HMI was full of praise for all aspects of teaching and learning at the school, and highlighted the key strengths as:

· Effective promotion of healthy lifestyles and pupils’ personal and social development
· High quality learning experiences which promoted independent, motivated and enthusiastic learners, leading to high levels of attainment in English language and mathematics
· The climate for learning and relationships among pupils, parents and staff
· Strong and productive partnerships in the nursery class and with parents, local schools and the wider community
· High quality of pastoral care of pupils
· The head teacher’s outstanding leadership for learning

Among the other aspects singled out for particular praise were that “relationships throughout the school were excellent and staff and pupil morale was very high”, “pupils were very well informed about other cultures and racial equality issues” and that “pupils’ behaviour and manners were exemplary”.

It concluded that “St Timothy’s Primary provided education of a very high standard”, and that “the school had a strong capacity to sustain high standards through its commitment to continuous improvement.”

Glasgow City Council’s Executive Member for Education and Social Renewal, Bailie Gordon Matheson, praised everyone associated with St Timothy’s.

“This is a really fantastic report, and I warmly congratulate all those who have worked so hard to make St Timothy’s what it is - one of the very best schools in the country,” he said.

“My ambition is for every Glasgow school to be achieving excellence, and St Timothy’s has now raised the benchmark to which others should aspire. It just shows what can be achieved through sheer hard work and dedication.”

Bailie Matheson also highlighted the fact that just a few months ago another East End primary, St Benedict’s, achieved five ‘excellents’. At the time, this was the equal best ever report for a Glasgow school.

“The standards being reached at St Timothy’s and St Benedict’s surpass not only those of schools in similar areas across the country, but also those of schools in many more affluent places,” he said.

“The tremendous work being done by Mrs McLean and her team is ensuring that St Timothy’s pupils are being given the best possible educational start.

“The fact that most, if not all, children will go on to St Andrew’s Secondary - which itself achieved five ‘excellents’ in its HMIe report - means the St Timothy’s youngsters are being given every possible chance to fulfil their potential.”

The HMI found that aspects of accommodation at St Timothy’s required improvement. Glasgow City Council is currently looking at options as to how best to meet this action point.