GOVERNMENT inspectors have praised “greatly improved” Cockenzie Primary School after a recent follow-up visit to the school.

The praise comes 20 months after an Education Scotland report criticised the school and nursery, and said staff did not have a “shared understanding of what they are trying to achieve for children through the curriculum".

That report, published in April 2014, found the school's performance 'weak' in six of eight key inspection indicators. It said there were “important weaknesses in the school’s arrangements for meeting the children’s learning needs across the school”.

Since that report was published, Jacqui MacKinnon has bedded in as headteacher and her role in turning round the school’s fortunes has been praised in the latest report, sent to parents on Tuesday.

Susan Gow, Education Scotland inspector, said: “The school has raised expectations in all aspects of its work. The headteacher has had a very positive impact on the work of the school. She has appointed a new depute headteacher who has quickly gained the confidence and respect of staff and parents.

“Almost all children have a positive learning experience.”

She said teaching approaches had “greatly improved” since the March 2014 visit. "Children in the nursery class play together confidently and are enjoying learning about fire engines and firefighters" while, at primary school level, "almost all children are engaged well in their learning and tell us they enjoy learning at school".

Ms Gow added: “At the primary stages and in the nursery class, the school can demonstrate children are now making good progress with their learning.”

While the “pace of learning and level of challenge” have improved, which has led to "better progress in literacy and numeracy".

Teaching approaches have "greatly improved", found the inspector and children were "clear about what they are learning and when they have been successful".

Very effective use of digital technologies had enhanced teaching and, overall, children were motivated and actively involved in their learning and took "great pride" in sharing their learning.

Shamin Akhtar, East Lothian Council spokeswoman for education and children’s wellbeing, was thrilled with the news.

She said: “I very much welcome Education Scotland’s remarks. I think Mrs MacKinnon and her team have done a great job at Cockenzie Primary and Nursery. The atmosphere in the school is really fantastic, the children are learning well and are obviously very proud of their school.

“Parents too have played a big part here and I’d like to thank everyone for the way they have all worked together to drive forward improvement at the school“Without being in any way complacent, I think we are very much on the right track and are going to work hard at building on our achievements so far.”

While county MP George Kerevan added: "I have read the report carefully and couldn’t be more pleased at the progress being made by staff and – most importantly – the pupils.

"You just need to look at the school website to see that this is a school brimming with confidence. I look forward to visiting the school as soon as possible."

Education Scotland plans to return to the school before the end of the school session in 2016 and will work alongside the local authority to further monitor the school’s progress.