Inspectors praise “familial and inclusive community” at Wrexham primary school

A primary school in Wrexham has been praised for its “familial and inclusive community” by inspectors.

Estyn, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Education and Training Wales, visited Ysgol Bodhyfryd on Range Road, at the start of 2019.

During its inspection Estyn found that the school, which has 410 pupils on roll, was ‘good’ in all five inspection areas. This includes the school’s standards, wellbeing and attitudes to learning; teaching and learning experiences, care, support and guidance and its leadership and management.

As part of its findings the inspectorate states: “Ysgol Bodhyfryd is a familial and inclusive community that provides effective care and support for its pupils. During their time there, most pupils make sound progress and achieve well.

“Nearly all pupils show enthusiasm towards their work and a desire to learn, and they treat each other and visitors politely. Pupils with additional learning needs are valued members of the school community and receive effective support from staff.

“The effective working relationship between staff and pupils is an excellent feature of the school’s work.

“This contributes soundly towards creating a lively learning environment where pupils and their parents contribute effectively to what is learned. As a result, stimulating and creative activities are provided for pupils, which develop them as curious and confident learners.”

The report also highlights the teaching and learning experiences, describing the school’s atmosphere as “exciting, lively and diligent.”

It adds: “One of the school’s strengths is the way in which teachers nurture and maintain a productive working relationship with pupils, which has a positive effect on their standards and wellbeing.

“The inclusion co-ordinator, for example, is active and arranges for the few pupils who need specific wellbeing support to receive it in a timely and effective manner.

“Teachers create a stimulating and supportive learning environment in lessons, and assistants provide effective assistance to support pupils to improve their skills, particularly in literacy and numeracy.”

Three recommendations for the school to take forward have been put forward by inspectors, including:

– Ensure that teaching provides appropriate challenge for pupils
– Improve the extended writing skills of pupils in the foundation phase
– Ensure that teachers’ feedback enables pupils to improve the standard of their work

The school will now produce an action plan to address the recommendations from the inspection