Today's trip down memory lane takes us back 15 years to when a school received top marks from inspectors.

Here's how we told the story in the Reporter on Wednesday, March 3, 2004...

THE POLITENESS and friendliness of pupils and the leadership of the headteacher were some of the strengths noted by inspectors who visited an Alexandria school.

St Mary’s Primary was praised for the work of the head and deputy head, the high quality of interactive teaching, the contribution of support staff and the range of information given to parents about their children.

Staff were also commended for using the local community and environment to enhance learning and the way they help pupils and the school improve through reviews.

Inspectors said there were still areas of the school that needed to be improved.

Read more: Education Scotland publish Balloch Primary inspection report

They noted that the school should let the children be more independent and take responsibility for their learning and should also take forward plans to promote race equality and diversity.

Head teacher Ann Smyth said she was delighted with the report and said the school was prepared to make improvements.

She said: “Anything that is in the report is already in our plans.”

The school has now been asked to prepare an action plan to address the report’s findings, and a progress report will be made in two years time.

The full report is available on hmie.gov.uk.