Estyn recently published its report from an inspection this February and the school was judged ‘good’ in all areas – Standards; Wellbeing and attitudes to learning; Teaching and learning experiences; Care, support & guidance and Leadership & management.
The report says: ‘pupils have a positive attitude to learning and the Headteacher provides strong leadership and has a clear vision for this improving school.’
The school’s Governing Body supports the school strongly and provides good levels of challenge to senior leaders. Governors understand key performance information, take an active part in the school’s self-evaluation processes and discuss and query improvement plans well.
The school has been on a rapid improvement journey and has moved from being a ‘red’ to a ‘green’ school in the Welsh Government’s national schools categorisation in just three years.
Headteacher Rebecca Fowler says:
“I am incredibly proud of our whole school community, everybody has been committed to improving standards for our pupils at Glanhowy, this has happened rapidly and I thank all stakeholders for their support and challenge. We are now a self-improving school and our pupils and staff are thriving. I am delighted that Welsh Government and Estyn have recognised, acknowledged and praised our amazing progress. I am excited about our future success, ensuring our wonderful pupils in Tredegar are provided with the very best start in life.”
Councillor Clive Meredith, Blaenau Gwent Council’s Executive Member for Education says:
“Congratulations to Glanhowy Primary School on this outstanding inspection report, a real pleasure to read. We are continuing to work to improve education standards for our children and young people here in Blaenau Gwent and this is starting to show results as we are seeing more and more positive Estyn reports and our number of ‘green’ schools are growing. Well done to everyone involved with this report; staff; governing body; parents and most importantly the wonderful pupils.”
Glanhowy Primary School is situated in the Sirhowy Valley in Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent, and has around 300 pupils. Nearly half of the pupils at Glanhowy are in receipt of free school meals and the Head teacher has been a big advocate of additional funding that has been drawn down via Communities First and the Pupil Deprivation Grant.
The full inspection report can be read here.