Welcome from the Headteacher

Welcome to Murrayburn Primary School. We hope that both you and your child will enjoy your time with us. At Murrayburn we work hard to provide a happy and safe environment for your child. It is our aim to meet not only your child’s educational needs but their emotional and social needs too. As a staff we aim to provide a motivating curriculum that will meet the requirements of the 5-14 Guidelines and enable the children to have skills and knowledge to become responsible citizens of the future. We expect the pupils to work hard, to respect each other, the staff and the school environment. The school has a positive discipline policy which was written by the staff with input from the parents and pupils. We all work together to make sure that the school community is a supportive one. The staff at Murrayburn place great importance on the parent:school partnership and work hard to forge meaningful links between home and school. We will contact you should we need to discuss your child’s progress and will be available to talk to you should you wish to discuss any aspect of your child’s development. There are also parent’s evenings twice a year to discuss your child’s progress. The information in this handbook is up to date at the time of printing but should there be any changes you will be kept informed through the regular newsletters over the year. We hope that the time your child spends with us at Murrayburn will be one in which their full potential is reached both educationally and emotionally and a time that they look back on with happy memories.

The school was opened in 1939 and the two storey building design reflects the principles of education of that time. For example, many of the classrooms are quite small and it can be challenging to put into practice todays teaching methods of group work and practical activities. Our staff do however manage to meet these challenges and provide a stimulating classroom environment for the pupils.

There are 25 classrooms, sixteen of which are used as teaching bases for the P1-P7 classes. The remaining rooms are used for art, music, resources, an activity room and a library. There are two halls, one on each floor, and these are used for assemblies, P.E., dance, drama and for packed lunches. The nursery was extended in 1999 and provides a purpose planned pre-school environment for 3-4 year old children. The school also has a medical room which is used by the school doctor, nurse and other visiting services.

The dining room has a severy and meals are supplied from a central kitchen based in Sighthill Primary School. There is a choice of meals each day and the children are encouraged to eat a balanced meal.

The playground extends around the school and is mainly tarmacadam. Staff and children are working on improving the environment by planting flowers and shrubs. the children are also provided with playground equipment on a rotational basis. The school garden is maintained by the pupils with the help of Mrs. Bennett, P5 teacher.

Sighthill Library is near the school and the pupils are taken there regularly and are encouraged to use this valuable facility.

The school is used by various organisations and clubs in the evenings, such as badminton, keep fit and football.

Organisations interested in using the school premises outwith school hours should contact:

School Lets Section, Wellington Court, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh. EH1 3EG
Tel: 0131 469 3000