Positive Estyn report for St Joseph's R.C. Primary School
St Joseph's, located in Blaenau Gwent, has 111 pupils enrolled, with 83 of them at statutory school age.
The school has a Roman Catholic character and operates entirely in English, with no Welsh-medium provision.
The report highlights that St Joseph's is a happy and inclusive school.
The well-being of both pupils and staff is a high priority for school leaders.
Nearly all pupils are described as kind and considerate, fostering positive relationships with staff and visitors.
The inspection noted: "This is a strength of the school and enables staff to respond well to meet the individual needs of pupils."
The school has a strong provision for pupils with additional learning needs (ALN). Skilled staff use targeted interventions effectively, helping these pupils make good progress towards their individual targets.
Most pupils display positive attitudes to learning, showing perseverance and resilience when faced with challenges.
They develop their speaking skills well, especially in informal settings, and are eager to discuss their work with adults.
In writing, most pupils make sound progress, writing well for various purposes.
However, the report points out that staff do not address errors in punctuation, spelling, and grammar effectively enough, delaying pupils to address their mistakes.
In mathematics, pupils apply their skills in real-life situations, and they use digital skills to support their learning across the curriculum.
While pupils are enthusiastic about learning Welsh, they make limited progress in developing their Welsh oracy skills.
The school has created an engaging curriculum that offers meaningful learning experiences.
The report also mentions that governors are aware of their roles and responsibilities, providing strong support for the school.
The headteacher promotes a robust culture of safeguarding.
To continue improving, the inspectors have made two recommendations: strengthen feedback to pupils to help them address mistakes promptly and enhance pupils' Welsh oracy skills.
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