We have had a very busy session at Heathery Knowe Primary School and Nursery Class. Our staff are committed to ensuring pupils have the opportunity to learn and develop in an environment that is supportive, nurturing and driven by high standards.
We reviewed the way in which we recognise the success of learners and build our community. We renovated an area of the school to create the Glass Room where pupil success is celebrated at the end of each day with the award of a Superstar or Champion certificate. Pupils elected School Captains who reviewed and re-launched the House System including recognising pupils who demonstrate values in action using a token system. Pupils are responding well to a positive approach to promoting behaviour and recognising success.
The meeting room was converted to a nurturing space for learners. The pupils named this room ‘The Hive’ and it has proven to be a popular area for individual and small group work with a focus on Health and Wellbeing. Around 40 pupils have accessed this space for learning activities and small group discussions.
There have been a number of opportunities for pupils to participate in Expressive Arts experiences. This year we performed a whole school Christmas Show called, ‘The Magical Christmas Jigsaw’. All pupils in the school participated in the performance and many of our pupils and guests commented on the sense of school community created by the event. Primary Three pupils visited The Scottish Opera, Primary 5 pupils participated in the Youth Music Initiative and four Primary 6/7 pupils represented Heathery Knowe PS in the South Lanarkshire Choir.
There has been a strong focus on raising attainment in literacy throughout the year. Pupils in Primary 1-3 benefited from reading a wider range of books purchased using Pupil Equity Funding. The whole school participated in World Book Day. Activities included a visit to Waterstones, a book swap, door competition and a visit from the librarian at EK Central Library. All staff participated in Active Literacy training and we invested in a range of resources to support the development of literacy for all pupils.
HMI inspected our school and nursery in January 2019 and commented that we have, “successfully created a cohesive staff team who are firmly focused on improving outcomes for children . Some of the initiatives aimed at improving aspects of the quality of the work of the school are at an early stage. However, there is clear evidence of their impact on children’s confidence, their relationships with each other and their growing pride in their school”
The introduction of Pupil Progress Meetings in August 2019 has meant that pupil attainment is closely monitored and targeted support is introduced when required. As part of raising attainment in literacy, we reviewed the process for identifying specific literacy learning difficulties and this has benefited 15 learners from P5-7.
We organised a range of activities during Anti Bullying Week and shared the message of ‘choose respect’ and ‘choose kindness’. Respect Me trainers offered a Parent Workshop which was well received. The Junior Leadership Team organised this event and pupils participated in literacy, art and drama activities to think about ways to show respect and kindness to others.
Thank you to all pupils, parents, staff and friends of Heathery Knowe Primary School and Nursery Class who have made this possible. We look forward to the new session and welcoming everyone back to school in August.
Have a lovely summer break.
Kind regards
Kirsty Duff
