St George’s School for Girls, Edinburgh, has been awarded grades of ‘very good’ in a report produced by the Care Inspectorate following a recent inspection of its nursery school.
The unannounced inspection focused on two key factors: quality of care and support; and quality of management and leadership. Across both categories the nursery received the grade of ‘very good’ – in what is seen as a clear reflection of the high standards adhered to across the school.
The report commended the school’s committed nursery staff for “ensuring that children’s individual needs were met”, their “child-centred approach to ensure consistent support” and the way in which staff “showed a comprehensive understanding of how children learn through play.”
Nursery staff were also praised for their nurturing approach to building children’s confidence. They found that staff gave children encouragement, support, time, and space when they were attempting a task for the first time.
The Inspectorate were happy with the Nursery’s approach to embedding the principles of Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) into its nursery practice. GIRFEC was set up by The Scottish Government as a national approach to working in a consistent way with all children.
Anne Everest, Head of St George’s School, said: “We are delighted the Care Inspectorate’s report has acknowledged the excellent work done by our staff in the Nursery to help our girls develop from an early age, knowing how important it is to give children the best possible start in their learning.”
“We have an excellent, well qualified professional team of Early Years Practitioners, and the team is very ably led by Mrs Lisa Nettleton. The children have a wealth of learning experiences available to them, and the inspectors were impressed by our outside areas which offer so many opportunities for play, learning and adventure.”
“Our Nursery is part of this all-through school, and here the seeds of every strand of the curriculum are sown; our curriculum is designed to progress seamlessly and coherently from Nursery right through to Upper 6, and this aspect of the school (along with its ability to self-evaluate and judge its own priorities) was deemed excellent, or sector-leading, in the Education Scotland inspection report (March 2015).
“I am very proud of our Nursery team, who give such excellent, professional and energetic care and support to our very youngest children; and I congratulate Mrs Nettleton and Mrs Hay on this most recent inspection report.”
Run in partnership with The City of Edinburgh Council, the Nursery offers part-funded places for 3-5 year-old children, while also providing care of girls and boys from 2 upwards. Wrap-around care is available from 7.45am and until 6.00pm as well as holiday club, offering flexibility to busy parents.
A limited number of nursery places are currently available. For more information, please contact Mrs Karen Batty, admissions department, T: 0131 311 8008 E:admissions@stge.org.uk and visit the school’s website.
