LIMEKILNS Primary School has been given top marks after an inspection report praised its "positive impact" on attainment.

Education Scotland visited the school and nursery and highlighted "very well-behaved, polite children who are happy in school and motivated to learn".

Other key strengths included improvements in attainment through learning and teaching in reading, as well as numeracy and mathematics, and an "inclusive ethos" with positive relationships across the school. 

The inspection report said: "Children in the nursery are happy in their play and most are developing skills to learn and play together, for example sharing and taking turns. 

"Almost all children are confident and motivated in their play and are able to make choices as to where and with whom they play.

"They enjoy developing independence in open-ended art and craft activities, including making puppets."

It added: "At the primary stages, children are attentive and keen to learn. 

"Most are enthusiastic about the activities they undertake and are confident to offer views about their school and their learning. 

"They listen well to instructions and remain on task when expected to work independently." 

Recommendations for improvement included developing the curriculum to ensure children progress in all aspects of their learning, build on self-evaluation to increase the quality of pupils' experiences and working together to reduce bureaucracy and unnecessary paperwork. 

The inspectors added: "Across the school, children have regular opportunities to develop skills in literacy, numeracy and mathematics and health and wellbeing. 

"Following the merger of Limekilns and Crombie primary schools, there has continued to be a strong focus on whole-school learning themes, often culminating in sharing of learning events with parents and the community. 

"We are satisfied with the overall quality of provision. We are confident that the school's self-evaluation processes are leading to improvements."

Limekilns headteacher, Anne Marsh, said: "I am very pleased that the inspectors highlighted our positive ethos, commitment to inclusion and the opportunities for wider achievement that we give all our pupils. 

"It also recognises the work we have done to embrace new initiatives and raise attainment in reading and mathematics.

"I am very proud of our children and of my colleagues at Limekilns for their enthusiasm, hard work and commitment to our school and its community. 

"We are looking forward to working together to implement the recommendations in our report.”