A TRANENT primary school has become the first in Scotland to pick up an award in recognition of its leadership in learning.

Windygoul Primary School collected the prestigious accolade from the General Teaching Council of Scotland (GTCS) at a ceremony in Glasgow last Thursday.

Former headteacher Avril Wilson, who retired last month, was joined by acting heads Dianne Mackenzie and Lynsey Blair at the event.

The school was nominated for the GTCS Excellence in Profession Learning award by East Lothian Council’s education service.

Experts from the organisation visited the school, meeting with both staff and pupils.

After an independent guided tour from pupils, the panel also met with parents, support staff and the school management team.

They gave the school the award based on what they described as an ‘outstanding’ culture of ‘Leadership of and for Learning’, strong evidence of leadership at all levels within the school, from the children to every staff member, a culture of care for everyone in the school and a deep relationship between teacher and student learning.

The GTCS also praised the way parent and community voices were a strong feature of the school.

Mrs Wilson said: “The feedback from the GTCS was incredibly positive. This award is a real credit to the amazing pupils, hardworking staff and committed parents. I was full of pride listening to the children speak about their learning and to the staff discussing their professional learning and recognising the importance of having a strong learning community.”

Councillor Shamin Akhtar, cabinet spokesperson for education and children’s services at East Lothian Council, said: “This is absolutely wonderful news. Credit must go to all of the school community – the headteacher and school management team, the teaching and non-teaching staff, and the pupils and parents – for achieving this recognition. This honour is well deserved, and I hope that other schools are encouraged to follow their example.”

The school will also be presented with an Excellence in Professional Learning award plaque that can be displayed in school, a certificate and a quality mark.

The council’s education service also received a professional recognition award at last week’s awards for its accredited coaching programme Coaching For Success.