Pentland Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 3 February 2026

This school is welcoming and caring. Staff get to know pupils well and they develop relationships that help pupils to feel safe. The school’s nurturing ethos particularly supports pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who are disadvantaged, helping them to feel that they belong. Children in the early years make a successful start to their education. Pupils enjoy their learning as they progress through the school. They generally show determination to succeed. Typically, staff ensure that pupils get the help they need. Following a period of change at the school, pupils are benefitting from improvements to the curriculum and to their learning. However, there is still work to do to to ensure that pupils' experiences are more consistent. Pupils who are disadvantaged broadly make progress that is close to that of other pupils nationally. However, pupils' achievement is inconsistent. Outcomes of national assessments have been lower than those found nationally over the last 3 years. This means that pupils are not as well prepared for the next stage of learning as they should be. Pupils behave respectfully in lessons and during social times. Bullying is rare. Pupils feel confident that adults will deal with any issues quickly and appreciate the friendship club. Pupils enjoy receiving rewards and recognition for positive behaviour. Most pupils attend school regularly but some, including pupils who are disadvantaged, still miss too much school. This makes it harder for them to achieve all that they can. Leaders ensure that there is a rich programme of experiences on offer. Pupils value the wide range of leadership opportunities available, such as becoming sports leaders or members of the pupil parliament. A range of clubs and activities develop their interests. Pupils enjoy debating topical issues in the news. Pupils are well prepared for life beyond the school.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that highly effective teaching is embedded across the school so that pupils progress well across the whole curriculum.
• Leaders should ensure that pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are supported to secure the foundational knowledge and skills that they need in reading, writing and mathematics so that they achieve well by the end of Year 6 and are ready for their next phase of education.
• Leaders should ensure that their attendance strategy and work to reduce persistent absence has greater impact so that pupils' attendance improves more rapidly.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)