SCHOOL INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 50 OF THE SCHOOLS INSPECTION ACT – MARCH 2013.

PENTIP VOLUNTARY AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL.

A Church in Wales Voluntary Aided Primary School

School Number 669/3321

Chair of Governors Cllr. WG Thomas

Head Teacher Mrs. Anne Murawski

Section 50 Inspector Revd J. Eldon Phillips M.Ed(Wales)

Diocesan Director Revd Brian Witt

Local Authority Carmarthenshire LEA.

The Section 50 Inspector wishes to thank the Head Teacher, Staff and Governors for the co-operation and welcome received. He also thanks the Estyn Inspection team for their co-operation.

CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION

  • PentipVA Primary School is in the centre of the town of Llanelli and its catchment area is the whole of the town.
  • There are 183 children on roll aged from four to eleven years.
  • The learners at PentipSchool represent the full ability range. Approximately 12% of learners are registered as being entitled to receive free school meals.
  • There are 40 children on the SEN register.
  • 14% are Minority Ethnic Pupils and 14% are EAL.
  • 35 learners are on the school’s Additional Learning register, 15 are on School Action and 20 are on School Action Plus.
  • The learners are organised into Reception 1 and 2, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6..

SECTION 50 SUMMARY JUDGEMENT RECORD

  1. Good with outstanding features.
  2. Good features with no important shortcomings
  3. Good features outweigh shortcomings
  4. Some good features, but shortcomings in important issues
  5. Many important shortcomings

PENTIPV.A.P.SCHOOL – SUMMARY JUDGMENT RECORD.

K.Q.1. – Has the school a distinctive Christian character, and is this reflected in the experience - GRADE 1.

This grade has been awarded under two headings. Firstly the ‘impact and effectiveness of Collective Worship’ and ‘how distinctive is the school in its Christian character.’

Planning for Collective Worship is very good, and it has a high priority in the school. Every child experiences some form of collective worship on a daily basis. This varies from single class worship, to foundation, key stage two, and whole school worship.

Individual class worship is the responsibility of each class teacher. There is a ‘focus table’ in each classroom which is positively utilised.

The Mission Statement of the school is appropriate in that PentipChurch in WalesSchool aims to provide, ‘the best possible education for each individual child within the context of a Christian Community, which is both a worshipping and a learning connunity.’

The Anglican tradition is evident throughout, with the church calendar followed carefully. Local clergy participation and involvement is practised on a weekly basis, and there is a distinctive Christian character in most aspects of worship.

The pupils respond effectively to collective worship and participation is encouraged on a consistent basis. Resources are easily available and the environment for worship, if in a classroom or the hall, is conducive for reflection and participation.

The effectiveness of provision for Religious Education – GRADE 2.

The planning and evaluation for work in RE is carried out in three phases, long, medium and short. The long term planning is done on a termly basis in accordance with the Church in Wales agreed syllabus. The medium term plans add more depth to the process whilst the headteacher, who is responsible for the subject, receives weekly lesson plans.

The headteacher effectively monitors on a regular basis, lessons taught in Religious Education.

The Agreed Syllabus is well implemented through a sensory approach whereby pupils use and handle religious artefacts, listen to music and taste food from a religious traditions.

The use of ‘Circle Time’ is very effectively used in relation to planning and teaching of RE. This involves key skills required by any individual belonging to a social group. These skills include awareness, valuing and celebrating difference and developing co-operation.

The teaching of RE is very well researched, planned and carried out. The pupils respond well to the tasks given to them in the subject.

K.Q.2. – How well does the school serve the needs of each learner and the whole school community ? – GRADE 2

There is a strong emphasis on the education of the’whole’ child, and this is reflected in the overall behaviour of the children in the school, which is excellent.

The Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development of the pupils is good. As a consequence of this, there is a strong emphasis on the pupils gaining a better understanding of themselves and the world.

The strong and distinctive Christian ethos allows the children to develop as young people and this is enhanced by strong ‘visual’ statements throughout the school, which reflect its Anglican status.

The pupils show excellent inter-personal relationships, thus cultivating a high standard of responsibility towards others and the whole school. Achievement and success are celebrated modestly and effectively which encourages the education of the whole child.

The Cwricwlwm Cymreig in the school is improving and there was ample evidence of the Welsh language being used throughout the school, while the school provides well for pupils with Special Educational Needs.

K.Q.3. – How well is the school led and managed as a Church school ? - GRADE 1.

The Headteacher and management team set an excellent example in the life and work of the school. There is compassionate leadership and this has a positive effect on the whole ethos of the school.

There is a very good relationship between staff and parents and this was particularly evident during the St David’s Day celebrations.

There is an ‘on going’ and positive relationship between the school and the local Benefice, and the headteacher is very keen on strengthening this situation, and to develop it even further.

There is a termly service in the local parish church, where parents and families are invited, and there is also a termly Eucharistic service, held in the school.

The ‘Self Evaluation’ document was both relevant and professional as was documentation for Religious Education, Collective Worship, Behaviour, Special Educational Needs, Anti Bullying, Admission, School Development and Child Protection.

There is evidence of clear progress from the previous Section 50 Inspection and the ‘Areas of Development’ are being addressed and successfully implemented.

Key Issues: -

  1. To further strengthen links between the local benefice and the school.
  1. To encourage and develop the concept of, ‘bringing the church into the school.’
  1. To continue to form a link with an overseas school community.
  1. To incorporate RE assessment procedures into the electronic tracking system.