Inspectors praise 'very good school' (From Penarth Times)

Inspectors praise 'very good school'

A PENARTH primary school celebrating its 35th anniversary has been praised by inspectors for serving its pupils and their community with distinction.

Describing Evenlode as a "very good" school, the inspectors say academic standards achieved by pupils are of the highest quality, due to consistently good teaching and very positive attitudes to learning.

Opened in 1969 as the first open plan primary school in South East Wales, the Evenlode Avenue campus now has 450 pupils and 18 "hardworking, enthusiastic and talented" teachers.

The report states the school has made very good progress since its last inspection seven years ago, and provides a secure and caring environment, adding: "Teachers listen to and value pupils' ideas and successfully promotes an ethos of courtesy and mutual respect. This is an outstanding feature."

Following their June visit, the inspectors say the very good standards of behaviour and pupils' attitudes to learning are a major strength of the school. Also marked as "very good" are attendance, assessment, recording and reporting, support, guidance and pupils' welfare, provision for pupils with special educational needs, partnerships with parents, the community, schools and other groups, self-evaluation and planning for improvement, leadership and efficiency, and staffing, accommodation and learning resources.

Pupils' academic standards are described as being of the "highest quality" in both key stages, and results in National Curriculum tests in English, maths and science are consistently well above local and national averages.

Describing school leadership as "highly motivational and pace setting," the inspectors praised headteacher Alun Jenkins for his impressive knowledge of individual pupils.

He is ably supported by deputy head Debbie Duncan, and inspectors praised the "real team ethos" throughout the school. The inspectors noted that a highly proactive governing body, well informed and led very effectively by chairman Carol Lander, has a "positive impact on the school's progress and development."

The inspectors refer to the "valuable and significant contributions" of an effective team of nursery nurses, learning support assistants and number of adult volunteers. In order to build upon its current successes, the school is advised to continue its work with the education authority to resolve long-standing problems with accommodation.