STAFF at a Garnock Valley primary school and nursery class have earned praise from inspectors for building positive relationships and helping children become "confident, secure and happy".

Beith Primary School was visited by a team of inspectors from Education Scotland in January and the inspection team found several strengths in the school's work, as well as some minor areas for improvement.

Overall, the school and nursery class were evaluated as 'very good' for each of the four separate quality indicators at both levels, with HM Inspector Gillian Frew concluding in her report - published this week - that inspectors are "confident the school has the capacity to continue to improve".

The inspection report stated that staff's "passion for and commitment to children’s rights and well-being underpins their work", while the head teacher has created a "climate of continuous improvement" which is "developing leadership at all levels".

Teachers and practitioners were also found to have a "strong collegiate approach to professional learning", as it was noted that they "work well together to improve children’s experiences".

The report added: "Senior leaders’ and staff’s effective use of data allows them to identify and plan the correct interventions for children.

"They deliver well-planned support which is helping children to experience success."

The report on the nursery class, which currently has a roll of 70, said practitioners have created a "purposeful, calm and positive atmosphere in the playroom and outdoors", adding: "Strong relationships with children, families and staff, are central to the ethos of Beith nursery class."

Meanwhile, the scholl report said head teacher Fiona Dunlop, who has been in post for 12 years, provides "highly effective strategic leadership across the school", which has 324 pupils organised into 14 classes.

It was noted that, in the nursery, continued focus on children’s rights would "support the planned work on improving children’s opportunities to explore diversity", while in the school, staff should "continue to develop approaches to assess children's learning and track their progress across all curricular areas".

The report said: "We will make no more visits in connection with this inspection.

"North Ayrshire Council will inform parents/carers about the school’s progress as part of its arrangements for reporting on the quality of its schools."