Praise for Vale primary schools - 25/10/06

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council's Cabinet has welcomed many "positive elements" contained in reports on two of the area's primary schools.

 

The reports on High Street in Barry and Cogan (Penarth) were outlined by Cabinet Member for Education and Training Cllr Tony Hampton who said: "I am sure all members of the Cabinet will join me in congratulating these two schools on their achievements."

 

Inspectors look at standards achieved by pupils, the quality of education and management, and the contribution made by schools to pupil development.

 

Schools are marked between Grades 1 and 5 in a number of areas, with Grade 1representing the highest possible level of achievement.

 

Standards in Key Stages 1 and 2 at Cogan were judged as either good with outstanding features or good with no important shortcomings, while quality of teaching was Grade 1 or 2 in 93 per cent of lessons.

 

Inspectors reported that the headteacher, ably supported by her deputy and a well informed governing body, provided highly quality leadership and clear direction.

 

Also viewed as outstanding were provision for pupils' personal development and the development of pupils' personal, moral and social skills. Provision for pupils was also considered good with many outstanding features.

 

At High Street, the 2005 National Curriculum results at the end of KS1 in English, maths and science were above the national average.

 

Quality of teaching in the early years was viewed as good overall, with examples of outstanding practice, in special classes as good with outstanding features and across both key stages as good but less consistent.

 

A very good and distinctive feature at the school was the direction provided by leaders and managers through the promotion of positive values. The inspectors added: "The overall quality of care, guidance and support provided for pupils, through an inclusive ethos, is an outstanding feature."

 

Cllr Hampton said: "Teachers, support staff and pupils at both these schools are to be commended on their continuing hard work."