A PRIMARY school is celebrating after impressing watchdogs.

Education bosses put St Blane's Primary School under the microscope - and judged it to be 'excellent'.

The 233-strong school in Summerston received glowing praise from Education Scotland inspectors who spoke of its equality and nurturing values.

The report praised: "The very nurturing learning climate developed by all staff to ensure inclusion and equality and create the conditions that enable children to learn effectively.

"The school’s provision of a high quality education for everyone in their community underpinned by a strong Catholic ethos and the effective partnership work with its local parish."

The primary has previously required a follow-up inspection after a report in 2007.

But this time there were no concerns and Education Scotland inspectors recommended the school continues as it is.

Head teacher Michele Stewart said: "I feel really that it was a real reflection of a week in St Blane's Primary School.

"Our teachers and support staff do all they can to uphold very high expectations of our school and our pupils.

"Our staff are committed to learning from each other and to making sure parents are fully involved in the life of St Blane's.

"They want the children to do really well and be motivated to learn. As part of that, we do quite a bit of work with the children to involve them in plans for their learning.

"We also work with parents to help them plan for home learning and supporting their children.

"We have the same challenges as any school with a mixed catchment area but we teach things like Christian mediation to help children overcome difficulties."

Inspectors now rate schools in four categories with 'excellent' being the highest grade.

St Blane's earned: very good for leadership of change; excellent for learning, teaching and assessment; and very good for both raising attainment and achievement; and ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion.

Liz Cameron, Executive Member for Children, Young People & Lifelong Learning said: “This is a wonderful inspection report and the whole school community should be very proud of their obvious hard work and commitment.

“I am delighted that inspectors highlight the outstanding quality of learning and teaching and recognise the nurturing ethos in the school.

“Congratulations to all.”