School praised for ‘caring ethos and enriching curriculum’

Carreghofa County Primary School in Llanymynech is celebrating a highly positive Estyn inspection that commends its outstanding commitment to pupil care, safety, and well-being.

Inspectors described Carreghofa, which has 99 pupils, as “a warm, nurturing and caring school where the well-being of pupils has the highest priority”. Pupils said they feel safe and secure, and are behaving well in lessons and around the school.

The report states that staff know pupils and families well, creating a “strong sense of trust and belonging”. The school’s support for pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) was highlighted as highly effective, ensuring that every child receives the help they need to succeed.

Three areas of improvement have been identified, with the report stating that “leaders have the capacity to implement improvement successfully but, monitoring work does not focus sharply enough on evaluating the effectiveness of teaching”.

Headteacher, Mrs Claire Pritchard, said: “I am so proud of our school. At Carreghofa we work hard to develop and celebrate every child. I am delighted to see that Estyn have recognised that our school has a family ethos where we know our children really well.

“They also recognised the same areas that we have looked to improve further over the coming year. We know that our school is full of superstars and we will continue to help them shine.”

Chair of Governors, Mrs Siobhan Williams added: “We are immensely proud of the positive and caring ethos that shines throughout Carreghofa Primary. This report rightly reflects the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our pupils and the strong partnerships we enjoy with families. It is particularly pleasing to see the recognition of our children’s well-being, their love of learning and the inclusive environment that supports every child to thrive.

“As governors, we fully acknowledge the recommendations and are committed to working closely with school leaders to ensure that self-evaluation, challenge in teaching and the development of pupils’ writing remain key priorities.

“Together, we will continue to build on our strengths and provide the very best opportunities for all pupils at Carreghofa Primary.”

Alongside its caring ethos, the reports states that Carreghofa offers a “rich and engaging curriculum”.

Pupils benefit from strong teaching in reading and mathematics, making good progress over time. The school fosters a love of books from the earliest years, with inviting reading areas and regular opportunities to enjoy high-quality texts. Mathematics teaching is effective, with pupils applying their numeracy skills in real-life contexts such as the school’s Fruit Enterprise project.

Welsh language development is another strength with the report finding that most pupils make good progress thanks to staff serving as positive language role models and using Welsh regularly in daily school life.

Creative and physical development are also well supported, with opportunities for art inspired by Welsh artists and daily ‘Amser Symud’ sessions promoting healthy lifestyles.

Pupils enjoy a wide range of enrichment activities, including dance, drama, sewing and cookery sessions, as well as visits and visitors that broaden their experiences.

Governors were praised for their strong support and accountability, and the school was noted for its capacity to continue improving. Carreghofa said it will now build on this success by addressing the report’s recommendations which are:

·      Improve self-evaluation processes

·      Ensure that teaching provides all pupils with sufficient challenge

·      Improve pupils’ writing skills

PICTURED: Pupils of Carreghofa celebrating the outcome of their inspection with staff.