Madras VA School

Overview

Madras Primary School is described as having a “wonderfully welcoming and friendly nature” where pupils feel part of a “large inclusive family.” The inspection highlights a strong culture of safeguarding, with pupils who are “polite and respectful” and approach learning with “enthusiasm and verve.”

Strengths

• Pupils make “strong progress” in developing skills, with “particularly strong” provision for literacy and digital skills.
• The curriculum is “broad and balanced,” underpinned by strong values, with teachers planning “engaging and interesting experiences.”
• Staff are “dedicated and caring,” ensuring pupils’ well-being is paramount, while governors support the school with “wisdom and integrity.”
• Pupils are “proud of their Welsh culture and heritage” and make good progress in Welsh language skills.

Areas to improve

• Evaluation and improvement processes must focus more closely on the “impact of the school’s provision on pupils’ learning.”
• Leaders should share best teaching practices to ensure pupils have regular opportunities to “develop their independent learning skills fully,” as teachers sometimes “over-direct” learning.

Safeguarding

The report states there is a “strong culture of safeguarding at the school” and, as a result, pupils “enjoy their learning experiences and feel safe at school.”