Primary school receives glowing Estyn report

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A primary school in Bargoed has received a glowing report following an inspection in June this year. 

St. Gwladys Bargoed was inspected by Estyn and received positive feedback about its curriculum, community engagement and headteacher. 

The school, which has 433 pupils, received the report which states: “St. Gwladys is an inclusive and nurturing school where pupils feel valued and cared for. 

“There is an established culture of mutual respect. This is a strong feature that enables nearly all pupils to thrive, show resilience and embrace challenges within a positive working environment.”

The report also highlights that students with additional learning needs (ALN), which account for 8.8% of the school’s population, receive effective support. 

On the report, headteacher Kathryn Evans said: “We are very proud that Inspectors stated that from an early age, many pupils develop as ambitious, independent learners and that high standards of learning and progress are achieved throughout the school with warmth and respect for all evident.” 

Mrs Evans, who has been headteacher at the school since 1999, continued: “We are also very pleased that the report acknowledges the school’s nurturing, inclusive and caring ethos, the exemplary behaviour of nearly all pupils, the positive attitude and high level of commitment shown to their work and the strong relationships with staff built on mutual respect.”

Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly Hefin David MS congratulated the school and said: “What a wonderful inspection report for the school. This just evidences the hard work and commitment of all those within the St Gwladys school community, including staff and pupils. Llongyfarchiadau pawb”.

There were just two recommendations for the school, which included safeguarding relating to traffic management and developing the evaluation of students’ learning, work and grant spending. 

This article was updated on August 16 to include a message from Hefin David MS and on August 22 to clarify that the safeguarding recommendation was related to traffic management.