Praise for “nurturing environment” and “inclusive ethos” of local primary school

A Wrexham primary school has been praised for its “vibrant and stimulating learning experiences” after a recent inspection.

Brynteg County School has been judged as good in all areas of the process, which was carried out in January 2019 by Estyn, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales.

Such areas include the school’s standards, wellbeing and attitudes to learning, teaching and learning experiences, care, support and guidance and leadership and management.

A report published by Estyn highlights a number of positives about the school, including the school’s “nurturing and caring community with an inclusive and happy family ethos.”

The report continues onto say: “The staff ensure that the arrangements to support pupils’ wellbeing are thorough and rigorous.

“This is a significant strength and an exceptionally positive aspect of school life. Staff encourage pupils to work together and consider the views of others effectively.

“As a result, most pupils are confident, treat others with respect and their behaviour is good.

“All staff play a pivotal role in providing outstanding levels of care and guidance for vulnerable pupils and those with additional learning needs.”

In terms of the wellbeing and attitudes to learning at the school, the report notes that “nearly all pupils show pride in their school and feel safe within its inclusive and “nurturing environment – adding “staff and pupils share a warm, caring and respectful working relationship.”

The inspection report adds: “During their time at the school, many pupils make strong progress from low starting points. They develop effective literacy and information and communication technology (ICT) skills.

“Most pupils behave well, care for each other’s feelings and demonstrate respectful attitudes to staff and visitors to the school. Most pupils feel safe at school and praise the staff’s care, support and guidance.

“The school provides a broad range of vibrant and stimulating learning experiences that improve pupils’ skills successfully.

“Teaching and assessment procedures support most pupils to achieve well from their individual starting points. Teachers and teaching assistants respond sensitively to the needs of all pupils, including those that are most vulnerable.

“Additionally, they provide valuable educational opportunities, effective guidance and purposeful support for parents.

“The headteacher and governors have a clear vision and work together well to address the school’s development targets and to bring about identified improvements.

“The leadership team focus well on improving provision by promoting professional learning and the teaching and learning experiences have a significant impact on raising pupils’ outcomes.”

Four recommendations for further progress have also been put forward by the inspectorate, including:

– Address the safety issues relating to the school grounds
– Develop pupils’ extended writing skills effectively, particularly those of the more able
– Ensure that pupils apply their numeracy skills purposefully across the curriculum at an appropriate level
– Improve pupils’ standards of Welsh

The school will now draw up an action plan to address the recommendations from the inspection.