A GLASGOW school in one of Scotland’s most deprived areas is leading the way in classroom standards.

St Timothy's Primary in Carntyne has received the best report card ever given to a primary in the city, ranking it alongside the country's elite schools.

The school and nursery were awarded an unrivalled six 'excellent' and eight 'very good' ratings by HMI inspectors.

And the secret of their success, according to headteacher Laura McLean, is giving pupils the confidence to believe success in life is not dependant on postcode.

The top rating the school received for 'promoting expectation and achievement' is the one, she says, that means the most to her.

She said: "A lot of people write off children from deprived backgrounds.

"What we try to do is give the children self belief from an early age so they develop resilience.

"If we can give them confidence, then they can achieve anything."

Robyn McGurn, 11, a P7 pupil from Springboig, said: "My teacher Mrs Bovill gets us to believe we are one in a million."

And 11-year-old Declan McLaughlin, from Greenfields, who harbours ambitions to play for Celtic FC, said: "If you think you can't do something they say of course you can, you just need to try."

The primary was also given the top ratings for care of pupils, climate and relationships, equality and fairness and the "outstanding" leadership of the headteacher.

The glowing report given to St Timothy's cements an already good reputation - around 25% of the 306-pupil roll comes from placing requests.

Teaching methods at the primary were also praised by inspectors, helping pupils achieve high levels of attainment in English and Maths.

St Timothy's has links with schools in a number of European countries and pupils are taught Spanish.

A system of active learning has been introduced with children constantly moving from one workstation to the next carrying out tasks related to a given subject.

Research shows active learning is much better understood and recalled by children than traditional teaching methods.

Ms McLean said: "We took a risk developing this kind of methodology.

"We were among the first in the city to try it but I believe more schools are adopting the practice."

Robyn said: "You are not always just copying things out of a book.

"We do a lot of expressive arts and learn things through poems and songs, like about Nelson Mandela."

St Timothy's gold star report is the third recent success for the East End in education.

St Andrew's Secondary - the secondary school for children from St Timothy's - was awarded five 'excellent' ratings in its last report - the first state or independent school to receive so many top grades.

And nearby St Benedict's primary in Easterhouse achieved five 'excellent' ratings last year.

Springburn Academy was given a good report by inspectors with 13 'good' ratings and two 'very good.'

Gordon Matheson, Glasgow's executive member for education, said: "This report puts St Timothy's on a par with the elite schools across the country.

"The school has now set the benchmark to which others should aspire.

"Once again we have proved that you don't have to live in a leafy suburb to enjoy excellent education."