Brynmenyn Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Brynmenyn Primary School is a happy, inclusive school that places a high priority on the well-being of its pupils.

It provides a calm haven where pupils blossom. Behaviour of all pupils both in and around the school, is exemplary. From a very young age pupils develop an understanding of the importance of respecting others.

They interact well throughout the school day and are sensitive to each other's needs. From their often, low starting points, pupils make a significant progress in developing their speaking and listening skills and, as a result, most pupils have excellent oracy skills. By Year 6, pupils can hold in-depth conversations about their work and carefully consider each other's responses in group discussions.
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However, pupils' Welsh language skills are less strong. Pupils are developing a strong voice in the school and contribute well to a variety of groups and committees and can give examples of where their influence has had a positive impact on school life. Teachers make effective use of the indoor environment and plan interesting activities for pupils to develop their wider skills in the 'street'.

All staff have positive relationships with pupils and help them significantly to develop positive attitudes to learning, although opportunities for pupils to mature as independent learners are underdeveloped. The school is establishing a curriculum around the pupils' needs which helps them to develop a purposeful understanding of their local and wider community and their place in the world. Leaders and staff care well for all pupils.

They have developed effective links with parents and carers which has contributed to the supportive community feel in the school. The headteacher provides strong leadership. She has developed an effective senior leadership team, who support her well.

The staff work closely as a team and are committed in creating life-long learners. Overall, they know their school well, but self-evaluation processes do not always focus sharply enough on what learners do and achieve. Recommendations R1 Focus monitoring, evaluation and improvement strategies more sharply on improving provision and the standards of pupils' learning R2 Provide opportunities for pupils to take responsibility for their own learning and become independent learners R3 Improve pupils' Welsh speaking skills What happens next The school will draw up an action plan to address the recommendations from the inspection.