A Newtown primary school has been praised by inspectors for its wellbeing, care and support, but has been told it needs to improve in areas of teaching after receiving an “adequate” judgement.
Hafren Primary School in Park Lane was inspected in December last year.
The report published today by Estyn, the school’s inspectorate in Wales, contains many positive comments about the learning environment and the school’s relationship with parents and the local community, highlighting the “positive impact on pupil standards in an ‘inclusive family ethos.’”.
However, it highlights four key areas for improvement, including pupils’ skills in writing at length and independently are underdeveloped; pupils do not apply their numeracy skills well to solve problems and in other subjects; teachers’ marking does not consistently give pupils clear guidance on how to improve their work; teachers do not consistently plan activities that successfully meet the needs of all learners.
An adequate judgement means “strengths outweigh areas for improvement.”
In a statement from the school, it highlights the positive elements of the report. “Pupils are said to make good progress as they move through the school, in “a caring environment where pupils feel safe and secure and where behaviour is good”.”
“The report goes on to say that “Successful well-being, care and support in a welcoming and nurturing community ensure that the children at Hafren are educated in a bright and cheerful learning environment.”
“The report also comments on the “enthusiastic and committed leadership” and that all staff “share a vision to meet the individual needs of all pupils in a happy and friendly environment”.”
Recommendations set out by Estyn inspectors are:
Raise standards in numeracy and ensure that pupils apply their skills at the level that they are capable of across the curriculum.
Improve standards of teaching to ensure that teachers plan activities to meet the needs of all learners
Ensure that teacher assessment judgements are accurate, particularly at the higher level
Improve consistency of marking and assessment for learning so that pupils have a clear understanding of what they need to do to improve their work
Refine self-evaluation activities to focus more robustly on improving pupil outcomes and to make more accurate judgements
Improve the arrangements for the performance management of all staff to focus on improving outcomes for all pupils.
Chair of Governors, Jo Banks praised the work of the headteacher and teaching staff. She said: “As a governing body we are really proud of the hard work that Mr Hyde and the team of staff and pupils at Hafren put into our school on a daily basis.
“At a time of great challenge for schools, with decreasing budgets and increasing expectations, the Hafren team work incredibly hard to create a happy and friendly learning environment that meets everyone’s needs.
“We have a robust plan for future improvements and have every confidence that we can further improve the provision at Hafren, ensuring our children get the very best education at this important time of their lives.”
Carl Hyde, Headteacher at Hafren School commented: “We welcome this report from Estyn. Hafren School is a wonderful place with children who are happy and committed to their learning and I’m glad that this has been highlighted in this report.
“Obviously there are areas that we will be working to improve, as there are with every inspection, but what is pleasing is that we had already identified many of these ourselves and will therefore ensure that they will be achieved very soon, raising our standards even higher.
“This is certainly a very exciting time for the whole community of Hafren and we are looking forward to the challenge and opportunity to ensure that we maintain our provision and quality for our children.”
The inspector’s report states that it has given a judgement of adequate as:
The headteacher has recently introduced a number of worthwhile initiatives to improve provision at the school
The headteacher provides enthusiastic and committed leadership
Leaders have established a thorough cycle of self-evaluation activities
The school development plan is a detailed document that identifies a suitable ?number of priorities
Members of the governing body know the school well and fulfil their responsibilities appropriately
The school has strong partnerships with parents.
The full report can be viewed on Estyn’s website http://www.estyn.gov.wales/sites/default/files/documents/Hafren%20C.P.%20Junior%20School_0.pdf
