While there are many positive aspects of Scottish education recorded in this report, there is still much to be done

Douglas Osler

And Tory education spokesman Brian Monteith said more should be done to improve pupils' transition from primary to secondary school.

The educational watchdog inspected more than 500 primary and 160 secondaries between 1998 and 2001.

Its report said that both types of school have key strengths, which include the broad curriculum in primary and secondary education.

Primaries were found to have good standards of attainment in activities such as listening, talking and reading, while in secondaries the school ethos and quality of learning and teaching in fifth and sixth years came in for praise.

However, the report also highlighted specific areas where improvements are needed.

'Important weaknesses'

"Continuing weaknesses" were identified in the leadership of head teachers in 15% of primary schools, while the report said attainment levels for writing should be raised in half the country's schools.

In secondaries, "important weaknesses" were identified in 15% of schools' curricula, and there was a need to improve first and second year courses in 40% of schools.

Mr Osler said: "While there are many positive aspects of Scottish education recorded in this report, there is still much to be done."

Ms Jamieson agreed that there was "much to celebrate" in the report.

Cathy Jamieson welcomed the report

"But I also recognise the need to address some of the weaknesses identified," she said.

"All children and young people, whatever their background, should have challenging but realistic expectations set for them.

"We must expect the best from all pupils and provide every encouragement and assistance to help them attain it."

Mr Monteith also welcomed the findings, which he said showed the educational benefits which had flowed from steps taken by the last Conservative government.

But he said: "Labour now threatens the role of the HMIE while the Scottish National Party's continued opposition to national testing clearly leaves it in the educational wilderness."

'Real concern'

He said that the weakness in the changeover from primary to secondary schools was "the clearest and most consistent deficiency identified in this report".

Mr Monteith said greater priority had to be given to ensuring a seamless transition.

SNP education spokesman Mike Russell later said: "This report outlines a number of areas of real concern and highlights that the Scottish Executive has yet again failed Scotland's young people."

He highlighted the problems in many primary schools with writing and mathematic problem solving.