Kilchrenan Primary School serves the rural communities of Kilchrenan, Inverinan and Dalavich. It is situated in the village of Kilchrenan on Loch Awe, and boasts a delightful view over the surrounding countryside.
Within the school there is a welcoming ethos based on a sound partnership between staff, parents, pupils and members of the local community. The children are encouraged to be supportive and caring and to take a pride in their school.
The present school building, which is over 135 years old, having been built in 1878 to save pupils from a “ruinous” school house in which twelve pupils were “huddled together in a corner up to their ankles in mud”, now comprises two classrooms and a smaller room which is used for storage and teaching smaller groups. There is a library/quiet room between the two classrooms and a kitchen from which the lunches, brought daily from Taynuilt Primary School, are served.
There are generous school grounds, which we consider the outside classroom, comprising paths, willow dens and social areas.
The school, in common with all Argyll and Bute schools, has used the national Curriculum for Excellence as it’s starting place to develop a relevant and robust curriculum, which allows us to cater for the individual needs of the children. We want pupils to be literate, numerate, resilient and independent, and we use a variety of resources, and teaching and learning styles, to ensure that pupils have relevant experiences and opportunities to support this goal.
We work closely with partner schools in the area, especially with Achaleven and Barcaldine primaries, with whom we engage in shared and moderated learning on a planned basis throughout the year. We also join with them, along with Strath of Appin and Lismore primaries, to deliver an age and stage appropriate Health and Wellbeing programme three times a year. This has the added benefit of increasing social skills and prepares children for future transition to secondary.
There is an active Parent Council in which all parents are involved, and that makes a significant and much appreciated contribution to school life. We have an open door policy for parents, encouraging them to come, see and join in with what we are learning and celebrating. All pupils take an active part in school life with every student being an active member of the Pupil Council.
HMIE inspection Reports:
HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) inspects and reports on the quality of education in pre-school centres, primary schools, secondary schools, special schools, community learning and development services, colleges, and residential educational provision.
You can read and download any inspection reports for this school, and find out more about the inspection process, on the Education Scotland website.
Kilchrenan
Taynuilt
Argyll
PA35 1HD