A NORTH Lanarkshire school at the centre of a proposed shake-up has been praised by inspectors after a recent visit.

Senior staff at Baird Memorial Primary in Cumbernauld were commended for their “effectiveness … in driving forward change and improvement during a period of significant uncertainty for the school community.”

The school and its nursery for children with additional support needs had been earmarked for closure by North Lanarkshire Council, as part of a restructure that would have seen a new Gaelic school created on the site. Baird Memorial was to be merged with Condorrat Primary.

READ NEXT: 'Sad news': Glasgow parents lose fight to take council to court over education cuts

However, after a public consultation, the plans were shelved.

Inspectors also praised Baird Memorial’s “well-mannered, articulate children who are ready and willing to learn” and “staff’s …improved approaches to the teaching of numeracy.”

Inspectors advised North Lanarkshire Council should “ensure the appointment of a permanent senior leadership team to provide much needed stability to the school community” and added staff should “broaden their understanding of local and national policies, practice and current research” and “raise their expectations of what children can achieve.”

The report also noted: “Children should be provided with increased opportunities to lead their own learning and to contribute more fully to the leadership of the school.”

Two other North Lanarkshire schools - St Barbara’s Primary in Muirhead and Firpark School in Motherwell - also received positive reports from Education Scotland.

Key strengths at St Barbara’s Primary included “confident, able and articulate children who are well behaved and keen to learn.”

The inspectors said; “They are proud of their school and have a strong sense of belonging. Staff, led by the head teacher….understand the background of the children well.”

The school’s staff were also praised for creating “a welcoming, nurturing and caring ethos, where children’s wellbeing is at the heart of the work of the school.”

Children are also making good progress in literacy and numeracy across the school, according to the report.

Areas for improvement discussed with the headteacher and a representative from North Lanarkshire Council, included the need for teachers to “involve all children more in planning learning, building on their interests, knowledge and skills.”

The report added: “The headteacher, supported by staff, should fully involve the whole school community in identifying improvements and leading change.

“Staff should meet better the learning and wellbeing needs of children through more effective planning and interventions. Senior leaders should organise appropriate training to develop further teachers’ skills to meet these needs.”

READ NEXT: Fascinating past of mansion house in Glasgow park

Firpark School was praised for its “positive relationships between young people and staff.”

The inspectors said: “These relationships are creating a calm learning environment with young people engaged and motivated in their learning.

“Young people are progressing well with their learning and gaining an increasing number of National Qualifications as they progress through their senior phase.”

The report added there was a “need for senior leaders to improve teachers’ understanding of national standards in moderation of assessment and help young people make better progress in learning” and staff should “provide a greater range of opportunities for young people to get involved in the life and work of the school."