Nantymoel Primary School

Overview

Nantymoel Primary School is described as a “caring and inclusive school” where pupils learn in a “positive atmosphere” and exhibit “exemplary” behaviour. While staff provide high levels of support and pupils develop effective literacy and numeracy skills, the report notes that leadership is “under-developed” and progress towards the Curriculum for Wales is not moving quickly enough.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate “readiness to learn” due to “strong working relationships” with staff who “care deeply” for them.
• Behaviour is “exemplary”, with pupils being “determined to persevere and learn successfully”.
• Governors “know the school very well” and act as a “critical friend”, supporting the headteacher in moving the school forward.
• The school is addressing additional learning needs reform “suitably”.

Areas to improve

• Leadership at all levels is “under-developed” and must be strengthened to identify and address key areas for improvement.
• Teachers in older classes “structure activities too tightly” and “guide pupils’ learning too much”, limiting opportunities for pupils to become “independent learners”.
• There is a need to develop a “whole-school approach to curriculum development” so pupils can apply skills in “meaningful, authentic contexts”.

Safeguarding

The report recommends that the school ensure all staff undertake statutory Prevent training.