St Elfod Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

St Elfod Junior School is a calm and caring school. Staff pay high attention to the emotional and well-being needs of its pupils and as a result most pupils enjoy school. Most pupils' behaviour is good.

They enjoy participating in lessons and activities in the extensive outdoor learning environment. During their time at the school, most pupils make good progress in their learning from their individual starting points, including those with additional learning needs (ALN). Most pupils develop strong reading, writing and oracy skills.

They develop a sound competency in their mathematical skills and transfer this knowledge appropriately to solve problems and apply them to other areas of the curriculum. Across the school, many ...pupils use their digital skills well to support their wider learning. Many pupils enjoy learning Welsh and participate enthusiastically during Welsh lessons.

However, overall teachers do not provide pupils with sufficient opportunities for them to use and practise their Welsh language skills outside of Welsh lessons. Leaders and teachers have created an authentic and engaging curriculum that reflects the ethos of the Curriculum for Wales. They plan learning experiences which reflect the local community and the interests of the pupils.

Feedback from teachers and staff supports pupils' progress appropriately. However, often teachers over-direct learning and, as a result, pupils have limited opportunities to choose how they wish to present their work. In addition, teachers do not always provide sufficient learning opportunities for pupils to develop as independent learners and thinkers.

Leaders monitor attendance carefully and have suitable procedures in place. They work closely with outside agencies to support the families of a few pupils who are absent regularly from school. However, despite these processes and procedures, attendance needs improving.

Recommendations R1 Provide opportunities for pupils to make decisions about how they learn, how they respond to feedback, and develop well as independent learners R2 Further develop the curriculum to ensure that the school provides a systematic approach to the development of pupils' Welsh language skills R3 Improve attendance

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