Ysgol Gynradd Pentrefoelas

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Ysgol Pentrefoelas is a close-knit community that celebrates Welshness, courtesy and respect exceptionally well. The headteacher provides wise leadership that values the efforts of everyone who contributes to the pupils' education. All staff are committed to ensuring high quality care and pupil well-being across the school in a homely and supportive learning environment.

This has a strong influence on pupils' attitudes towards each other and others both inside and outside the school. Pupils' pride in the Welsh language is a strong feature and they use the language completely naturally both inside and outside the classroom. Teachers and assistants model language highly skilfully and work together successfully to plan a range of vari...ed and purposeful learning and play experiences for pupils.

As a result, pupils' pride in their learning, their village and their local area is a strength. Staff provide a curriculum that enables pupils to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to support their work and help them to apply them in relevant activities across the curriculum. However, provision for pupils to develop their numeracy and extended writing skills across the areas of learning are inconsistent.

On the whole, teachers do not always provide learning activities that support pupils to achieve to the best of their ability. Provision to support the learning skills of pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) is purposeful. As a result, they make good progress in their learning.

The school provides regular opportunities for pupils to take part in performances and events to nurture their self-confidence and their expressive ability. For example, they perform enthusiastically in shows and concerts in the community, in addition to the Urdd's local, regional and national eisteddfodau. The school's self-evaluation and quality assurance arrangements are beginning to have a positive effect on pupils' well-being and progress.

Members of the governing body support the headteacher and staff well. Pupils' attendance rates are very high. The headteacher, with the support of staff and governors, promotes a culture of safeguarding effectively.

Recommendations R1 Improve pupils' writing skills R2 Provide activities that challenge all pupils to apply their numeracy skills across the curriculum R3 Ensure that feedback from staff identifies the next steps in pupils' learning effectively