Outstanding report for award-winning school
An award-winning Vale of Glamorgan school has been praised as
having "many outstanding features" by an independent inspection
team.
Dinas Powys Infants, which has 203 pupils aged three to seven,
including 68 part-time nursery children, attains top marks -
good with outstanding features - in key categories relating to
pupil achievement, the learning experience, care, guidance and
support, leadership and strategic management, evaluation and
improvement of quality and standards and efficient use of
resources. Teaching is viewed as being good with no important
shortcomings.
Following the inspectors' March visit, the school, which has
earned the Basic Skills Quality Mark 3, Investors in People,
Healthy Schools and Eco Bronze awards in recent years, is viewed as
providing a "very happy, caring and safe environment" and "very
good value for money." The inspectors add: "There is an outstanding
sense of direction and purpose to the work of the school."
Indeed, the word "outstanding" features throughout the report in
relation to:
• the very good progress pupils make and the excellent standards
achieved in their knowledge, understanding and skills, and in
fulfilling their potential, regardless of background;
• the positive relationships between staff and pupils, effective
teamwork, very good subject knowledge and very detailed planning
and monitoring;
• the curriculum which is seen as "well planned, interesting and
effective, and full of exciting, creative and problem solving
experiences";
• provision for learners with special educational needs;
• the school's sense of direction and purpose;
• the quality of leadership and management of headteacher Julie
Thompson, who is described as a "very positive, committed,
enthusiastic and well informed professional;"
• the quality of accommodation which provides a safe,
comfortable, attractive and well maintained learning
environment;
• the school's self evaluation processes, and
• partnerships and links with parents, the local community,
businesses and other schools.
Children are praised for their behaviour, which is described as
exemplary in early years pupils. "The vast majority are considerate
and courteous to each other, staff and visitors."
Teaching in nursery and reception classes is viewed as a "major
strength," and, overall, 93 per cent of lessons are graded good or
having outstanding features.
Another major strength is the school's "caring ethos and
inclusive nature," while the overall provision for pupils'
spiritual, moral and social development is described as
excellent.
Highlighting the "very good progress" the school has made since
their last visit six year ago, the inspectors say headteacher Mrs
Thompson has a "very clear vision for the future direction of the
school to which governors, staff, parents, and pupils all play
important roles. They add: "There are excellent working
relationships and a genuine sense of teamwork, with the common
purpose of maintaining high standards."
Mrs Thompson commented: "We are very proud that this report
highlights so many outstanding features and recognises the
sustained development of the quality of teaching which exceeds
Welsh Assembly Government targets.
"We will be seeking to build positively on our excellent
relationships with parents, governors and the local community which
have been recognised as one of our strengths."
The chairman of governors, Jill Davies, said: The governors are
thrilled with the inspection report. Our aim has always been to
ensure the school is a happy and safe environment in which every
child can reach her/his full potential.
"The governors have long recognised the outstanding leadership
of Julie Thompson, the headteacher, and recognise that it has been
her drive and enthusiasm that have enabled the school to maintain
such high standards. We are delighted the inspectors have
highlighted this fact and that we have achieved our aim.
"We congratulate the whole school community on this wonderful
testimony and know they will continue to strive for even higher
standards."
Caption: Celebrating an outstanding inspection
report with children at Dinas Powys Infants' School are Vale
Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning Cllr Nigel
Gibbs, chair of governors Jill Davies and headteacher Julie
Thompson.