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IntroductionLlandeiloCommunityPrimary Schoolwas inspected as part of a national programme of school inspection. The purpose of inspection is to identify good features and shortcomings in schools in order that they may improve the quality of education offered and raise the standards achieved by their pupils. The inspection of all schools within a six-year cycle is also designed to give parents information about the performance of their child's school.
The inspection of LlandeiloCommunityPrimary School took place between 30/11/09 and 02/12/09. An independent team of inspectors, led by Jeffrey Harries undertook the inspection. Estyn, a statutory body independent of, but funded by, the National Assembly for Wales, commissioned the inspection.
The team was required to report on the standards achieved by pupils, the quality of education provided by the school, the quality of leadership and management and the contribution made by the school to its pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
Estyn's reports follow its guidance for the writing and editing of reports, which is available on the Estyn website ( The table below shows the terms that Estyn uses and a broad idea of their meaning. The table is for guidance only.
Nearly all / with very few exceptionsMost / 90% or more
Many / 70% or more
A majority / over 60%
Half/around half / close to 50%
A minority / below 40%
Few / below 20%
Very few / less than 10%
The five-point scale used to represent all inspection judgements in this report is as follows:
Grade 1good with outstanding features
Grade 2good features and no important shortcomings
Grade 3good features outweigh shortcomings
Grade 4some good features, but shortcomings in important areas
Grade 5many important shortcomings
There are three types of inspection.
For all inspections, there is a written report on seven key questions.
For short inspections, there are no subject reports.
For standard inspections, there are also reports on six subjects.
For full inspections, there are also reports on all subjects.
Estyn decides the kind of inspection that a school receives, mainly on the basis of its past performance. Most schools receive a standard inspection. All nursery schools, special schools, pupil referral units and any new or amalgamated schools receive a full inspection.
This school received afull inspection.
Year groups and key stages
Schools use a common system of numbering year groups from the start of compulsory schooling to 18 years of age. This system emphasises the importance of continuity and eases communication among schools, governing bodies, parents and LEAs.
The term 'Reception' (R) refers to the year group of pupils in a primary school who reach the age of 5 during the academic year. Year 1 refers to the year group of pupils who reach the age of 6 during the academic year and so on. Year 13 is the year group of students who reach the age of 18 during the academic year.
Primary phase:
Year / R / Y1 / Y2 / Y3 / Y4 / Y5 / Y6Ages / 4-5 / 5-6 / 6-7 / 7-8 / 8-9 / 9-10 / 10-11
Secondary phase:
Year / Y7 / Y8 / Y9 / Y10 / Y11 / Y12 / Y13Ages / 11-12 / 12-13 / 13-14 / 14-15 / 15-16 / 16-17 / 17-18
The National Curriculum covers four key stages as follows:
Key stage 1 / Year 1 and Year 2Key stage 2 / Year 3 to Year 6
Key stage 3 / Year 7 to Year 9
Key stage 4 / Year 10 and Year 11
Contents Page
Context / 1
Summary / 2
Recommendations / 7
Standards / 7
Key Question 1:How well do learners achieve? / 7
The quality of education and training / 10
Key Question 2:How effective are teaching, training and assessment? / 10
Key Question 3:How well do the learning experiences meet the needs and interests of learners and the wider community? / 12
Key Question 4:How well are learners cared for, guided and supported? / 14
Leadership and management / 16
Key Question 5: How effective are leadership and strategic management? / 16
Key Question 6: How well do leaders and managers evaluate and improve quality and standards? / 17
Key Question 7: How efficient are leaders and managers in using resources? / 18
Standards achieved in subjects and areas of learning / 19
Foundation phase
English
Welsh second language
Mathematics
Science
Information and communications technology
Design and technology
History
Geography
Art and design
Music
Physical education
Religious education / 19
23
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
31
32
School's response to the inspection / 33
Appendices / 34
1Basic information about the school / 34
2School data and indicators / 34
3National Curriculum assessments results / 35
4Evidence base of the inspection / 37
5Composition and responsibilities of the inspection team / 37
Report by Jeffrey Harries
Llandeilo Community Primary School, 30/11/09
ContextThe nature of the provider
1LlandeiloPrimary School is located alongside the main A483 road close to the centre of the market town of Llandeilo. It accepts pupils from a wide rural catchment area as well as from Llandeilo itself. The school states that the area is one which is neither prosperous nor subject to economic disadvantage with the intake covering the full ability range.
2The school is classified by the Carmarthenshire Local Authority (LA) as a “Category B” school with English as the main medium of education and Welsh taught as a second language. No learners come from homes where Welsh is the main language. Only a very small number of learners are from minority ethnic groups.
3Pupils are taught in six classes four of which are of mixed age. Nursery and reception age children are taught together in the Foundation Phase class. They have separate registration and story sessions but are grouped together by ability for focussed activities. Nursery age children enter full time following their third birthday; this provision is controlled and administered by the LA.
4There are 177 learners between three and 11 years old on the register, a figure well below the 226 during the previous inspection. Around 6% are traveller children and flexi learners who are part taught at home and in school. Seventeen per cent have the right to free school meals, a figure similar to the Carmarthenshire average (15.2%) and the whole of Wales (17.5%).
5Sixty five learners (37%) are on the special education needs (SEN) register, 11 of whom carry a statement;this is well above the county and national average. Around eight learners have speech and language difficulties and are taught each morning in a SEN speech and language class and return to mainstream classes in the afternoon. A similar number has behavioural disorders and are supported on an individual basis by learning support assistants (LSAs).
6Since the last inspection in February 2004, there have been recent developments to provide play areas and outdoor learning for the Foundation Phase and the opening of a new library in October 2008.
7The headteacher has been in post since September 2007. At the time of the inspection the assistant head was on short-term absence; a supply teacher taught her class.
The school's priorities and targets8It is the vision of the school to provide for the full social, moral, emotional, physical and intellectual development of learners by putting them at the heart of their learning and encouraging them to be decision makers and problem solvers, and to:
- develop learners to their full potential;
- provide a stimulating and supportive environment;
- offer a wide range of experiences through a broad and balanced curriculum, and
- ensure learners appreciate the needs and abilities of others.
9The focus for the present academic year is to:
- raise standards in English, physical education and learners' bilingual skills;
- ensure teaching and assessment meet learners' needs;
- raise attendance levels;
- develop further the role of the governing body in monitoring the provision, and
- develop further the role of curriculum leaders in monitoring standards of achievement.
1
Report by Jeffrey Harries
Llandeilo Community Primary School, 30/11/09
Summary10Llandeilo Primary School provides a happy and caring environment. It is managed by a supportive governing body. The headteacher and staff work conscientiously to ensure the school's clear values, especially respect for individuals and their achievements. These have a positive effect on learners resulting in an overall improvement in standards since the last inspection. However, standards of achievement in a minority of subjects and the development of learners' key skills remain as areas for further improvement.
Table of grades awarded
Key Question / Inspection grade- How well do learners achieve?
- How effective are teaching, training and assessment?
- How well do the learning experiences meet the needs and interests of learners and the wider community?
- How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?
- How effective are leadership and strategic management?
- How well do leaders and managers evaluate and improvequality and standards?
- How efficient are leaders and managers in using resources?
11The inspection team agreed with the school's judgments in five of the seven key questions. It awarded a lower grade for key questions two and six.
Standards
12At the end of key stage 1 in 2009, learners' standards of attainment according to teacher assessment in the core subjects of the national curriculum (NC) were well above national, county and the newly designated family of schools averages in science, below in mathematics and well below in English. In comparison with similar schools in Wales, the school's performance was in the bottom 25% of performing schools. In 2009, the performance of girls was higher than that of boys. The school states that in this cohort over a third were learners with SEN.
13At the end of key stage 2 in 2009, learners' standards of attainment according to teacher assessment in the core subjects of the NC were above local, national and family of schools averages in mathematics and science and lower in English. When compared with similar schools in Wales, the school's performance was in the bottom 25% of performing schools. The school states that in this cohort over a half were learners with SEN. In 2009, the performance of girls and boys was similar.
Grades for standards in subjects inspected
14Overall, the standards of achievement in the areas of learning and subjects inspected are as follows:
Grade 1 / Grade 2 / Grade 3 / Grade 4 / Grade 54% / 61% / 33% / 2% / 0%
15These percentage figures are well below the national average for primary schools in Wales of 84% Grade 2 or better, as published in Her Majesty's Chief Inspector's (HMCI) report for 2007-2008. However, these figures show a significant improvement since the last inspection.
16Overall, the educational provision for the under-fives is appropriate to their needs and children make good progress towards the Foundation Phase outcomes.
Personal and social development, wellbeing and cultural development / Grade 2Language, literacy and communication skills / Grade 2
Welsh language development / Grade 2
Mathematical development / Grade 2
Knowledge and understanding of the world / Grade 1
Creative development / Grade 2
Physical development / Grade 2
17Nearly all learners with SEN make good progress and they achieve the targets set for them. Most flexi learners and traveller children also make good progress.
18In key stage 1 and key stage 2 standards of achievement in the subjects inspected are as follows:
Inspection area / Key Stage 1 / Key Stage 2English / Grade 3 / Grade 3
Welsh second language / Grade 2 / Grade 3
Mathematics / Grade 2 / Grade 2
Science / Grade 2 / Grade 2
Information and communications technology / Grade 2 / Grade 3
Design and technology / Grade 3 / Grade 3
History / Grade 2 / Grade 2
Geography / Grade 2 / Grade 2
Art and design / Grade 2 / Grade 2
Music / Grade 2 / Grade 2
Physical education / Grade 2 / Grade 3
Religious education / Grade 2 / Grade 2
19Children's key skills develop well in the early years. They make good progress in speaking and make good use of their early skills in listening, reading, writing, numeracy and information and communications technology (ICT) to promote learning. Their personal and social skills develop well.
20In key stage 1 standards and progress of learners in the key skills of speaking and reading are good. Their use of numeracy and ICT across the curriculum is also good, as is their progress in creative, problem solving and bilingual skills. Learners' skills in listening and writing are underdeveloped.
21In key stage 2 learners' speaking and reading skills are good as are their creative and problem solving skills and use of mathematics across the curriculum. Their listening, writing, use of ICT and bilingual skills are insufficiently developed. Their personal and social skills are good and their thinking skills are developing well.
22Overall, learners' behaviour and their attitudes towards learning are good. A few learners in the school have complex emotional and behavioural difficulties; most are making progress in managing their behaviour.
23Good features outweigh some shortcomings in rates of attendance achieved by the school. Attendance rates for the past twelve months average 91.7% and are significantly higher than previous years. However, they are below national rates (93.2%) of attendance for learners of primary school age.
24The majority of learners is developing the capacity to work independently.However, a minority display limited skills in organising their work and moving on to the next stage of learning.
25Overall, learners work well together and show respect and care for others.
The quality of education and training
26In the lessons observed the quality of teaching was judged as follows:
Grade 1 / Grade 2 / Grade 3 / Grade 4 / Grade 511% / 59% / 26% / 4% / 0%
27While these figures for the quality of teaching are a significant improvement on those recorded in the last inspection report, they are well below the latest figures as reported by HMCI in his annual report for 2007-2008. Nationally, the quality of teaching is Grade 2 or better in 83% of lessons, with 16% having outstanding features.
28Throughout the school there are good working relationships between teachers, support staff and learners.Learning support assistants make a good contribution to the quality of the teaching and learning.
29Overall teachers have a secure subject knowledge and the majority of lessons are suitably challenging and succeed in interesting learners. Teachers use an appropriate range of teaching methods and approaches and make appropriate use of available resources. There is, however, a significant over reliance on work sheets which has an adverse effect on the recording of learners' work in a number of subjects.
30Good features outweigh shortcomings in assessment, recording and reporting procedures. In lessons learners receive appropriate feedback on progress, However, there is no marking policy resulting in the marking of their work being inconsistent. Annual reports to parents comply with statutory requirements.
31In both key stages the school provides a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum that meets statutory requirements and is accessible to all learners.
32Good features outweigh shortcomings in planning for the development of key skills across the curriculum. Plans are insufficiently rigorous in promoting the progressive development of learners' key skills in listening and writing in both key stages and use of ICT and bilingual skillsin key stage 2.
33Visits beyond the locality and a range of visitors to the school are very strong features of provision as are extra-curricular activities. Homework is generally appropriate and well focused.
34The promotion of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. It is well promoted in whole school assemblies which comply with statutory requirements. The culture and heritage of Wales feature prominently and its focus on other cultures is good.There is a well focused policy document for personal and social education (PSE) and a structured programme for its promotion. The school is raising learners' awareness of the importance of healthy eating and living.
35The school's partnerships with parents, the local community, other schools and higher education institutions are highly successful and have outstanding features that enrich the life and work of the school and enhance learners' experiences.
36The school's commitment to work-related education is good with outstanding features and learners' understanding has been enriched by a range of partnerships with local employers and relevant agencies. The school makes very good provision for the development of learners' entrepreneurial skills.
37Provision for education for sustainable development and global citizenship is good with outstanding features. The whole school community actively promotes sustainable development under the influence of a very effective eco committee.
38There are clear procedures which contribute to ensuring the well-being of learners. The overall quality of care, guidance and support provided for learners is an outstanding feature of the school. The school has established very good liaison arrangements with a range of specialist educational and health support services. The regular involvement of individual professionals in the work of the school effectively strengthens the provision of support and guidance made available to learners and their families.
39The provision for learners with SEN is very good and the school adheres closely to the SEN Code of Practice; this is an outstanding feature. The SEN co-ordinator (SENCO) is very well informed and provides very effective leadership.
40The school has very effective strategies to identify learners with SEN and their needs are well met through a variety of strategies and well focused intervention programmes. The individual education plans (IEPs) written for learners are of good quality and are reviewed regularly.
Leadership and management
41The quality of the headteacher's leadership is good. She has instigated significant change in the short time she has been in post and has a vision for further improving and developing the school. Her positive leadership gives a clear sense of direction to the work of the school. The school's aims and values significantly promote equality for all, and are reflected in the provider's work.