High Cross Primary

Highlights from Latest Inspection

High Cross Primary school is a happy school where pupils show respect and consideration in lessons, playtimes and as they move around the school.

They are enthusiastic in lessons and enjoy their learning. When they first join the school, many pupils have communication and numeracy skills at or above the level expected for children of their age. They build successfully from these starting points and develop effective literacy and mathematical skills as they move through the school.

They make particularly good progress in their oracy and reading skills. Pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) make good progress in their learning. The curriculum provides an appropriate range of learning experiences across the curriculum t...hat motivate and engage pupils and as a result most make suitable overall progress from their starting points.

Teachers' planning for the pupils' skills is at a relatively early stage of development. There are limited opportunities for pupils to apply their numeracy skills across other areas of the curriculum and develop their digital and Welsh language skills. Leaders, staff and pupils succeed in developing an environment where nearly all pupils feel safe at school and are valued and respected.

The recent developments to improve the learning environment have resulted in calm and relaxing spaces where pupils can learn and socialise with their friends. Leaders worked effectively with partners to create a shared vision for the school through the development of the school's moto 'Together we grow and shine.' They broker effective support from neighbouring schools to help develop important aspects of their work and have a positive impact on the pupils and staff.

Leaders set goals for improvement and use resources carefully. However, these plans do not always focus sharply enough on improving outcomes for pupils. Recommendations R1 Ensure that school development targets are specific and focus sharply on improving outcomes for pupils R2 Secure progression in pupils' learning by ensuring that the curriculum builds systematically and coherently on their' existing skills, knowledge and understanding R3 Improve pupils' digital skills What happens next The school will draw up an action plan to address the recommendations from the inspection.