A Brief History

TARLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL is situated in the small village of Tarland in Upper Deeside, 31 miles west of Aberdeen and 5 miles from Aboyne. The school serves the village and the surrounding area.

The original, east part of the school building is over 100 years old and has been added to over the years. The most recent extension was built in the 1960s. The school was originally a Junior Secondary School catering for children from 5 to 15 years but became a primary school in the 1960s.

The accommodation is very spacious and comprises five classrooms, the Nursery Room, the Art Room, a general purpose room, the reprographic/store room and an impressive hall and stage. There is a large, tarred playground, a wooded play area to the front of the school, a mini forest, and an enclosed, grassed area with swings, climbing frames etc for Early stages children to the rear of the school.

At present the school accommodates 87 pupils from age 5 to 12 and 17 Nursery children in their pre-school year (for five sessions each week).

Tarland Primary School has 4.5 full time equivalent teaching staff, including the Nursery teacher. We also have 3 Pupil Support Assistants and a Nursery Nurse. There are visiting specialist teachers for the subjects of Science, French, Music and Physical Education. Our Support for Learning Teacher provides additional support for learners on 2½ days each week.

The teaching team is supported by a full time school administrator, kitchen staff and one cleaner. Janitorial cover is provided by Aboyne Academy and is on a rota basis with our share being 1½ days per week.

The school belongs to the Aboyne CSN and on leaving Tarland Primary School the children transfer to Aboyne Academy. The staff work closely with those of the other nine primary schools and Aboyne Academy as well as other Education & Lifelong Learning staff.

Community links are a valued part of school life. Cromar Kids’ Club, an after-school club for Tarland and Logie Coldstone primary school pupils, uses Room 1 during term time. Tarland Playgroup is also accommodated in Room 1 every morning. Rev. Ribbons visits us at agreed times during the year. He visits each class, takes whole school assemblies, and welcomes us to St Molug’s Church at Christmas and Easter. Parents and community members are welcomed into the school for Open Days and concerts. We welcome parent volunteers. The school has a supportive and hard working Parent Association.