Inspectors deliver verdict on Jewish school and nursery near Glasgow

Calderwood Lodge Primary and Calderwood Lodge Family Centre in Newton Mearns were visited by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) in Scotland and the Care Inspectorate.

The inspectors praised the school’s “welcoming, nurturing, caring and highly inclusive ethos” and added: “Staff work very effectively with parents and partners to embed the Jewish faith in the life and work of the school.”

Strong partnerships with the school Rabbi and the Scottish Jewish Youth Alliance are in place, while all Jewish festivals and significant days are celebrated alongside a strong emphasis on interfaith learning across the year.

The inspectors noted: “This inclusive approach is helping children develop respect, empathy, and a deeper appreciation of different cultures and beliefs.”

Calderwood Lodge Headteacher Jacqueline Dunn with some of her pupils (Image: East Renfrewshire Council)

The report - the full version of which is available on the HMIE in Scotland website - said pupils feel “confident, secure and are able to thrive” and that the “highly effective headteacher who leads with integrity, sensitivity and a clear rationale for improvement” and the senior leadership team “have a clear vision for the school community and high aspirations for all children.”

The inspectors added that children at the school are “articulate, motivated, kind and compassionate” and “they are very proud of their school.”

The inspection team also praised the very good progress children are making in literacy and English and numeracy and mathematics.

As areas for improvement, the inspectors said senior leaders and staff should “take forward their school priorities as outlined in the improvement plan” and “continue to provide high-quality experiences that support children to develop their leadership skills within their learning.”

The Family Centre was praised for its “respectful and nurturing relationships between staff, children and families” and the report added that children are “happy, safe and secure, as a result of well-planned transitions across the day, with the exciting environment ensuring children engage well in their learning and make very good progress.”

Calderwood Lodge Headteacher Jacqueline Dunn said: “I am privileged to lead our fantastic team at Calderwood Lodge School and Family Centre.

“The inspection reports have reinforced and recognised the fantastic work which goes on every day. We have such strong connections between all the staff, partners and our wider school community.”

She added: “It is particularly pleasing that our values and strong focus on faith have shone through in the report. By creating a vibrant community, it will ensure that our young people thrive and achieve their very best every day.”

Councillor Andrew Anderson, East Renfrewshire Council’s convener for education, added: “Well done to everyone at Calderwood Lodge for these two fantastic inspection reports. I’m delighted that the high-quality learning experiences delivered to children across both the school and family centre have been recognised, as I know that our staff regularly go above and beyond to ensure they are delivering for our young people.”