A Newtown primary school is to receive enhanced support

St Mary's Catholic Primary School in Newtown will receive enhanced support from Powys County Council after Estyn inspectors found that the school requires significant improvement, following an inspection in March.

The inspection report presents a mixed picture of the school. Estyn found that the school fosters a nurturing and inclusive school community where pupils feel safe, protected, and valued, with inspectors praising the headteacher's "considerate and compassionate leadership" and the strong team ethos among staff.

However, significant concerns were raised about curriculum development, teaching effectiveness, and pupil attendance. The report states that "the development of the curriculum and improving teaching has not received sufficient attention and a minority of pupils do not engage in their learning or make the progress they are capable of".

Cllr Pete Roberts, Powys County Council's Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, acknowledged the inspection findings. "We recognise Estyn's findings and the areas where St Mary's Catholic Primary School must improve," he said. "The report offers a clear path forward, and we are committed to supporting the school's leadership in delivering the necessary changes. Together, we will take decisive steps to meet the recommendations and ensure the best outcomes for learners."

The council has confirmed that a team of senior education officers will work directly with the school to address the four key recommendations outlined by Estyn. Both the school and council have accepted the report's findings, which will form the basis of a joint action plan.

Mike Bacigalupo, Chair of Governors at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, emphasised the positive aspects highlighted in the report whilst acknowledging the challenges ahead. "The report rightly recognises the nurturing and inclusive environment we have built at St Mary's, where pupils feel safe, valued, and supported," he said. "We are proud of the strong relationships between staff, pupils, and parents, and the dedication of our team to fostering a positive school culture."

Mr Bacigalupo confirmed the school's commitment to addressing the identified issues: "We fully accept the findings of the Estyn inspection and are committed to addressing the areas identified for improvement. We strive to ensure the very best outcomes for every child at St Mary's and we will continue to be firmly focussed on doing so. As governors, we will work closely with the headteacher, staff, Powys County Council, and our wider school community to implement a robust action plan."

He added: "Whilst we acknowledge that there is important work to do – particularly in strengthening our curriculum, improving attendance, and ensuring that all pupils are consistently engaged and making the progress they are capable of – we are delighted that our strengths have been recognised by Estyn."

The inspection report reveals a complex picture of the school's performance. On the positive side, many pupils, including those with additional learning needs (ALN), make suitable progress with their oracy, reading, writing, mathematical, and digital skills. The school was particularly commended for its work in Welsh language development.

However, inspectors identified several areas of concern. The report notes that "a few pupils display low-level disruptive behaviour that impacts negatively on their learning and that of others" and that attendance rates remain problematic.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School serves 61 pupils, with 45.6% identified as having additional learning needs, significantly higher than the national average of 11.1%. The school also supports a diverse community, with 19.3% of pupils having English as an additional language and 33.1% eligible for free school meals over a three-year average.

Under the significant improvement category, the school will draw up an action plan to show how it is going to address the recommendations, with Estyn monitoring the school's progress about 12 months after the publication of this report.

The governing body has pledged to work closely with the headteacher, staff, Powys County Council, and the wider school community to implement the necessary improvements. Staff, pupils and parents will be fully supported during what the council describes as "the improvement journey".

This inspection outcome reflects broader challenges facing education in Powys, where several schools have recently required additional support following Estyn inspections. The council and school leadership have emphasised their determination to address the identified issues whilst building on the school's recognised strengths in creating a caring and inclusive environment for its pupils.

The full Estyn inspection report is available on the Estyn website. For more information about St Mary's Catholic Primary School, visit www.st-marys.powys.sch.uk