Agenda item

To receive the analysis of recent Estyn Inspection Reports.

 

The Challenge Advisor GwE (CA) submitted a report (previously circulated) which provided an analysis of Estyn Inspections Reports published in the Autumn term, in relation to the provision of Religious Education, SMSC and collective worship, in three schools between November, 2014 and January, 2015. 

 

Inspections had been carried out at St Asaph Church in Wales Voluntary-Controlled Infant School, St Asaph, Ysgol Bro Dyrfrdwy, Cynwyd and Ysgol Hiraddug CP School, Dyserth, and details pertaining to each of the respective schools had been incorporated in the report and were summarised by the CA.

 

The CA provided Members with a brief resume of the findings relating to each school, and the positive comments and outcomes were noted by Members.  The CA explained that the comments received had been brief and he made particular reference to the following:-

 

Positive Comments - Current Performance indicated that staff provide very good opportunities for pupils to develop their spiritual, social, moral and cultural education (Hiraddug).

 

Key Question 1:  How good are outcomes?

 

Wellbeing:-

 

·         They develop a good understanding of their role in the local community through strong links with the cathedral and visits to the local hospice. (St Asaph V.P.).

·         Pupils organise activities to raise money for a number of charities which had a positive effect on pupils’ awareness of the needs of others.  A successful coffee afternoon held to raise money for the Nepal appeal.  (Bro Dyfrdwy)

·         Younger pupils had developed a valuable understanding of respect, care and concern for others, in the school and wider world (Hiraddug). 

 

Key Question 2:       How good is provision?           

 

Learning experiences:-

   

·         Visits from local businesses, links with the cathedral and extra curricular activities enrich pupils’ learning well.  (St Asaph V.P.)

·           Good understanding of global citizenship through involvement in European Day and a project of support for a child in Borneo. (St Asaph V.P.)

·           Good range of various and interesting experiences across the school, which met all the requirements of the Foundation Phase, the National Curriculum and religious education effectively.  (Bro Dyfrdwy)

·           Wide range of valuable opportunities provided to raise pupils’ awareness of global citizenship through thematic work, and links with other countries such as Lesotho.  (Bro Dyfrdwy)

·           Provision for promoting good behaviour and developing pupils’ social and emotional skills is effective.  Regular opportunities for pupils to reflect and develop their spiritual, moral, social and cultural attitudes through regular whole-school assemblies and other activities in the local community. (Bro Dyfrdwy)

·           Interesting links with India and China helped pupils develop valuable knowledge and understanding of other cultures and customs, which enriched the caring and respectful ethos of the school. (Hiraddug)

 

Care, support and guidance:-

 

·         Staff develop pupils’ spiritual, cultural, moral and social development well. Visitors and visits out of school provided worthwhile experiences to assist in pupils’ social and cultural development.  (St Asaph V.P.)

·         Regular opportunities for pupils to reflect and develop their spiritual, moral, social and cultural attitudes through regular whole-school assemblies and other activities in the local community. (Bro Dyfrdwy)

·         Highly beneficial opportunities provided for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.  The school’s strong international links developed pupils’ spiritual and cultural understanding effectively.  The high quality provision for personal and social education in the Foundation Phase lead to pupils developing a strong understanding of the values of honesty, fairness and respect for others. (Hiraddug)

 

Learning Environment:-

 

·      A very inclusive community where staff treated all pupils equally, fairly and with respect.  Staff promote diversity and equal opportunities successfully and ensured that all pupils had equal access to every aspect of school life.  The school’s caring ethos encouraged pupils to have respect and tolerance for others.  (St Asaph V.P.)

·      A close and welcoming community that created an inclusive ethos with a range of policies and procedures in place to promote equality and celebrate diversity. (Bro Dyfrdwy)

·      The school placed a clear emphasis on recognising and celebrating diversity and promotes equal opportunities well.  (Hiraddug)

 

Key Question 3:     How good are leadership and management?

 

Partnership working:-

 

·      Links with the cathedral, the local community and external agencies make an effective contribution to the quality of the school’s provision.  (St Asaph V.P.).  The CA confirmed that there had been little comment by Estyn in respect of interaction and collaboration with faith communities during the cycle in question.  Confirmation was provided that the Church in Wales did not provide Section 52 Reports.

 

In response to concerns raised by Councillor J.A. Davies regarding St Asaph VP Infants School having identified about 27% of pupils as having additional learning needs, the CA confirmed that the Wales average was about 25% (the figure actually being around 20%).  He made reference to the process adopted for the assessment of pupils, with regard to the utilisation of available data, and provided details of the process pertaining to the ALN Register.

 

In reply to a question from the Chair, the CA explained that Key Questions 2 related to the school environment and pupils experiences and learning, and Key Question 3 related to leadership and the securing of partnerships.

 

A question was presented by Councillor J.A. Davies regarding the implementation of the Bullying Policy.  It was explained by the CA that the issue of bullying could be addressed under Care support and guidance, reference being made to regular opportunities for pupils to reflect and develop their spiritual, moral, social and cultural attitudes through regular whole-school assemblies and other activities in the local community, with particular emphasises being made on experiences realised within the school and the approach adopted by the respective schools to address the problem.

 

Concerns were raised by Councillor D. Owens regarding the need for consistency regarding the provision of information provided in respect of each individual school.  The CA agreed to examine the concerns raised with regard to the reporting process.

 

RESOLVED – that, subject to the above, the report be received and its contents noted.