THE new headteacher at a rural Borders primary school has pledged a robust action plan to improve its fortunes following a critical report.

Leadership at Cockburnspath Primary School and Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) was rated ‘weak’ by Education Scotland inspectors following a visit in February.

The HMIE Report evaluated the primary provision as gradings of two ‘satisfactory’ and two ‘weak’ for the quality indicators.

The nursery class was evaluated as having three ‘very good’ and one ‘good’ gradings for the quality indicators.

The report said the school has been through a period of instability due, in part, to staff changes.

Areas highlighted included improving children’s attainment in literacy and numeracy and better approaches to planning and assessment within the school.

When members of Scottish Borders Council’s Education Sub-committee met on Tuesday (June 18) they agreed to endorse an improvement plan put in place at the school.

New headteacher Rachel Foy took charge at the school in April this year and has embedded changes, including the utilisation of outdoor learning.

She told the sub-committee: “Since I took up the post I have been captivated by the school, they have completely sucked me into their world there.

“I see real potential in the school and the school staff and the community and I’m really excited about being part of team Cockburnspath going forward.

“We have a lot of recent and quick improvements that we have put in place and I’m very confident that the inspection action plan that I’ve got in place is strong and robust and will ensure the continued success of our school.

“There is a robust action plan in place to ensure the continued success of the school and there are four improvement priorities.

“My aim is to build leadership capacity to empower staff to become leaders of change and support children to take on authentic leadership roles in their community.”