St Athan primary school’s performance has been rated ‘good’ with ‘good’ prospects for further improvement in future by Estyn, the schools inspectorate in Wales.
The report, which is based on an inspection in October last year, praised the school for its rigorous assessment procedures and its caring, supportive environment. It noted the up-to-date knowledge and efficacy of the teaching staff, stating that most pupils ‘make good progress and achieve well’.
The school’s prospects for improvement were also reported as good as a result of the head teacher Louise Hayne’s clear vision and commitment to raising standards, as well as effective teamwork between staff and strong contributions from governors.
Vale MP Alun Cairns visited the school last week to congratulate the pupils, teachers and governors for their success in making St Athan Primary an officially good school.
The MP was particularly impressed with the ‘indoor forest’, where pupils can study wildlife and plants, even during inclement weather. The Estyn report also praised the school for making use of nearby woodland to teach children about the natural world.
Children at the school showed Alun Cairns work that they had produced, including ‘wanted posters’ inspired by Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox. Mr Cairns also visited the school’s high-tech IT suite, where pupils were practising their creative writing as well as their computer skills.
The Vale MP said, “It was a pleasure to come to St Athan Primary to congratulate those responsible for working hard to make this such a good school. The Estyn report makes clear that the teaching staff and governors are doing a brilliant job to ensure the school’s current and future success.
“I also had the chance to see the school at work myself, and was very impressed by the enthusiasm of teachers and pupils alike. It’s clear that their ‘good’ rating is very well deserved.”