School celebrates impressive report
The inspection team recognised the strong sense of identity, belonging and pride that pupils, staff, and families alike have in their school.
The inspectors commented on the well-established and strong sense of belonging felt across the school and beyond into the wider community, finding that the school is inclusive and caring with staff knowing pupils well and providing high levels of care and guidance.
The positive and trusting relationships between pupils and staff across the school were identified as a particular strength.
The inspection team awarded the school a spotlight for the high-quality Welsh language provision across the school. They highlighted the regular opportunities for pupils to use Welsh in authentic contexts as a strength, recognising that by the time pupils leave school they have a secure development of spoken Welsh, with the ability to respond to more complex questions.
The inspectors recognised the strong progress the school has made with its curriculum design and identified that pupils benefit from a broad range of well-planned rich authentic learning experiences. The inspectors awarded an additional spotlight for the opportunities provided to pupils in the development of their creative skills with a strong focus on cultivating pupils sense of Cynefin.
The report recognises digital learning as a strength where pupils are provided purposeful opportunities to develop their digital skills. Pupils develop their digital competence well and apply their skills with great confidence through a range of pupil-led activities. In addition, the inspectors highlighted reading and oracy skills as a strength with pupils speaking confidently and articulately, and reading with fluency, confidence and enthusiasm.
Estyn noted that the headteacher provides strong, compassionate leadership and has established a strong culture of belonging across the school community and beyond. This is well supported by staff, governors and parents who have a clear shared vision for the school.
The inspection affirmed the school’s accurate self-evaluation, with three recommendations made that align closely to its existing development priorities, including further strengthening improvement processes to focus on the impact of teaching, enhancing challenge to support pupils in applying their literacy and numeracy skills across the curriculum, and continuing to develop provision to support strong progression in mathematics and writing.
The Headteacher, Miss Sarah Brian, said: “I am delighted with the inspection report and particularly pleased that Estyn has recognised and affirmed the priorities we have already identified for our school’s improvement journey.
“To be awarded two spotlight areas has absolutely blown us away - it is a wonderful endorsement of the dedication, talent and commitment shown every day by our pupils, staff, governors, and wider school community.”
The Chair of Governors, Mr John Barker, said, “On behalf of the Governing Body I would like to thank Estyn for this report. It confirms our view that we have a wonderful school here in Montgomery. This is down to the hard work of the Headteacher, all the staff and of course the children.”
The full Estyn report can be viewed on the Estyn website. www.estyn.gov.uk.
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