A NURSERY has gone straight to the top of the class - after gaining five "excellent" ratings from inspectors. Hazeldene Nursery School, in Newton Mearns, is the first nursery school in the west of Scotland to scoop such high marks.
Nursery is first in west to achieve maximum marks
A NURSERY has gone straight to the top of the class - after gaining five "excellent" ratings from inspectors. Hazeldene Nursery School, in Newton Mearns, is the first nursery school in the west of Scotland to scoop such high marks.
Quality watchdogs praised Hazeldene head teacher Sheona Moore for her commitment and motivation - and have asked the nursery to share its good practice methods with nurseries across East Renfrewshire.
Her Majesty's Inspectors of Education put the 200-pupil nursery under the microscope in March and awarded the five "excellent" grades - the maximum number possible.
They included awards for improvements in performance and enhancing children's experiences, The school also met all learning needs, thoroughly covered the curriculum and was applauded for improvement through self-evaluation.
Among the strengths of the school, inspectors listed the excellent extra care given to children with additional support needs.
Even school mascot "Travelling Ted" was awarded a gold star for his efforts.
Travelling Ted goes on holiday with staff and pupils then shares the tales of his adventures with the children, boosting global awareness.
Head teacher Sheona Moore, who has worked at Hazeldene since it opened, said: "Everyone is delighted with the report.
"It is a tribute to the hard work of pupils, staff and parents and the support we receive from the council.
"I'm particularly pleased at us achieving five out of five excellents' and that our highly-motivated children, who take their own interests forward in their learning, are recognised as being at the centre of our success.
"We already share our good practice with other schools and centres and will be very happy to continue to do so."
Hazeldene, which opened in 1997, was the first purpose-built nursery school in East Renfrewshire.
The nursery was built in a wing of the old Mearnskirk Hospital - and is Peter Pan-themed to match the logo of the former children's ward.
Part of the hospital is now an old folks' home and nursery staff take pupils to visit the elderly residents as part of their work in the community.
East Renfrewshire Council education convener Councillor Alan Lafferty said: "We are very proud of Hazeldene, the first nursery and first school of any kind in East Renfrewshire to receive five excellents'.
"I was particularly pleased to see the report highlight how happy the children are, how welcome parents are made, and how the learning that takes place is highly effective.
"My congratulations go to everyone at this outstanding nursery school."
