Headteacher Patricia Kennedy with pupils at St Mark's

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) awarded St Mark's Primary in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, 11 "excellents" in their report card.

The school also claimed another first with an "excellent" for teaching that was described as outstanding.

Headteacher Patricia Kennedy said the report was a tremendous tribute to the work of everyone at St Mark's.

"We're delighted with the report and very proud indeed of what each and every one of our pupils achieves and attains at St Mark's," she said.

The report means St Mark's tops Our Lady of the Missions Primary School in Thornliebank, East Renfrewshire, which achieved nine "excellents" in its HMIE report in October 2006.

Mixed catchment

Pupils were praised for being friendly, confident and well behaved.

Inspectors added that the broad and well-balanced curriculum provided "excellently" for pupils' spiritual, personal and social development.

READ THE REPORT St Mark's Primary [80KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here

St Mark's covers the Auchenback and Springhill areas of Barrhead and 22% of pupils qualify for free school meals.

About a third of the school roll comes from out of the catchment area, with parents choosing St Mark's over other schools.

East Renfrewshire's education convener Mary Montague said: "Here is a primary school which serves a mixed catchment area, with a wide variety of housing types and social backgrounds, and it has outperformed schools in more affluent parts of our area and elsewhere.

"Its success has much more to do with the high quality of the work at St Mark's and the backing we give all of our schools rather than postcode or social factors."

Education minister Hugh Henry met pupils, staff and parents at the school to congratulate them on their achievement.

Mr Henry said: "We want all schools to be excellent schools - places where all pupils have the chance to realise their full potential.