Monnow Primary

Overview

Monnow Primary School fosters a "very strong sense of ‘cynefin’ (belonging)" where pupils, many starting with underdeveloped social skills, make "strong progress" in their development. The headteacher provides "highly effective leadership," creating a "vibrant learning community" where staff feel valued and empowered.

Strengths

• Pupils’ "behaviour and engagement during periods of independent and unsupervised learning are extremely good."
• The approach to developing "communication and reading skills is particularly effective," nurturing a "real enjoyment of reading."
• Teachers successfully develop pupils’ "good numeracy and digital skills" which are applied well across the curriculum.
• Leaders ensure a "strong safeguarding culture" and support pupils’ well-being through effective strategies for emotional regulation.
• Staff are "empowered to make decisions and take actions that are in the best interests of pupils."

Areas to improve

• The school must "Improve attendance," as rates "remain relatively low" despite careful monitoring.
• Leaders need to "Improve standards in Welsh," as current provision to develop these skills is "less successful."
• The school should "Further develop professional learning to improve consistency of teaching and the work of teaching assistants," ensuring staff know when to intervene to enhance learning.

Safeguarding

Leaders ensure a "strong safeguarding culture at the school" and promote the importance of regular attendance.