Gilmour Juniors received an excellent OFSTED report this year achieving Grade 1 across the board! This all thanks to the hard work of not only the teachers and children but also their parents who have given us their loyal support throughout the year.

Here's just a sample of our OFSTED report. If you would like to read the complete report then simply right-click here to download a PDF version.

Overall effectiveness of the school Grade: 1
This is an outstanding school because everyone involved with it works enthusiastically and purposefully to ensure pupils get the most out of their education. Because of the rich provision on offer and the high quality teaching, pupils achieve outstandingly well and develop into happy and confident young learners. The school enjoys an extremely good reputation with the parents and the local community. A comment such as 'this is an excellent school where pupils develop strong social as well as academic skills and benefit from an impressive range of out of school activities' is typical.

Pupils make outstanding progress because they are taught exceptionally well in a vibrant learning environment and provided with a vast range of exciting learning opportunities. Right from the start, pupils are presented with very carefully planned activities that promote their thinking and social skills, helping them to become independent learners. High quality teaching builds pupils basic skills of reading, writing, mathematics and ICT very well. This is underpinned by extremely good relationships and high expectations.

By the end of Year 6 pupils reach significantly above average standards overall in English and mathematics and outstanding standards in science. However, the school recognises that standards in writing are a continued area for development. Although improved this year because of purposeful intervention strategies and excellent marking standards, they are still lower than in reading and mathematics and could be higher for some pupils in each year group.

The school provides outstanding care, support and guidance for all of its pupils. There are a significant proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, a few who are particularly vulnerable and some who are gifted and talented. High quality planned support for learning means that all pupils achieve just as well as others. The excellent care and support they receive is the foundation for their success and reflected in the pupils' enjoyment in school.

Pupils' personal development is outstanding. Pupil talk enthusiastically about the many opportunities they have to go on visits and trips. They enjoy healthy food provided for them at break times and lunchtimes. The many sporting opportunities they participate in results in teams and individuals gaining awards both at local and national level. Pupils have well developed social skills and develop responsible attitudes to recycling and global issues such as 'fair trade'. The extremely vibrant curriculum makes very good provision for example in the arts and problem solving activities such as mini-enterprise tasks. The extensive links that pupils have with others in European and African schools promotes a very good understanding of themselves and others. This results in a school, which is happy because the talents of all pupils are encouraged. Is it any wonder that pupils achieve so well?

There is outstanding leadership and management. The headteacher leads the school exceptionally well. Improvement from the last inspection is extremely good and there is excellent capacity for further improvement. There is strong and dedicated leadership and from the senior and subject leaders. The governing body is effective in supporting and shaping the direction of the school.

Advantage is taken of local and national initiatives to extend learning opportunities. The school benefits from the very good partnerships with local schools and colleges. There is a shared vision that pupils should have the best opportunities they can provide to succeed and they do.