Two schools in Caerphilly County Borough have received favourable Estyn reports in recent weeks.
The education watchdog sent officers to Cwmaber Infant School, in Abertridwr, and Hendredenny Park Primary School, in Trecenydd, with both scoring in the upper echelons on numerous key areas.
At Cwmaber, no judgement made by the inspectors came out with less than a good rating with wellbeing, leadership and care, support and guidance found to be excellent.
In its report, Estyn also said that while many pupils start their education at the 144-pupil school with skills and understanding below the level expected for their age, most children make strong progress.
Inspectors praised teaching standards, writing: “The head-teacher promotes an extremely caring, inclusive community with a shared sense of purpose.
“She has a clear focus on improving pupils’ wellbeing and raising standards and shares this very successfully with all members of the school community.
“Everyone involved with the school is encouraged to learn, care and share together; this ethos underpins everything that the school does.”
Plaid Cymru’s Aber Valley councillor, John Taylor, who is also chair of the school’s governing body, said: “This pleasing inspection report is testimony to the dedication and hard work of Mrs Jayne Price, the head-teacher, and all the school’s staff.
“I would like to commend them for all their efforts on behalf of the children of Cwmaber Infant School. I would also like to thank my fellow governors for their work on behalf of the school.”
Meanwhile, Hendredenny Park Primary School was given a glowing report for its inspection in May of this year.
The 249-pupil school is a pioneer school, meaning it is working alongside the Welsh Government to develop a national model of learning and pilot new curricula, and its current performance and prospects for improvement were both rated excellent – the highest achievable rating.
Much like Cwmaber, no area was awarded less than a good rating, with teaching, leadership and standards some of the highest scorers.
Pupils’ computer, maths, literacy and problem-solving skills were the focus of particular praise, with their behaviour called exemplary, showing “considerable pride in their school…show[ing] great care and respect towards each other and have exceptional empathy for those that are less fortunate.”
Teaching across the school was “consistently of a high-quality with excellent features in a majority of classes”, the report stated. “Teachers and support staff are exemplary role models and have high expectations of all pupils.”
Cabinet Member for Education and Achievement, Cllr Philippa Marsden, said: “We’re very proud of our schools, and these positive Estyn inspections are testament to the hard work of teachers, pupils, governors and families alike.
“Everyone involved should feel very proud of what they have, and will I’m sure, continue to achieve”.