YSGOL Gynradd Llandudoch has been rated ‘good’ across all areas by Estyn following its inspection back in February.

The St Dogmaels Primary School has 110 pupils across four mixed-age classes, with inspectors reporting that pupils enjoy participating in the school’s work on various issues.

The report highlighted the involvement of the pupils in shaping school life and said: “They are very willing to contact staff with their ideas, and express their views about the school well through the work of the school council and the eco committee.

“All of the school’s councils, such as the digital crew, meet regularly and undertake their work conscientiously. As a result, they have a purposeful understanding of their leadership roles within the school. They discuss these confidently and give mature reasons for making decisions on behalf of others within the school community.

“For example, their business enterprise, namely the fruit trolley, funds improvements to the school environment well. The school plays an important part in the local community. There are regular opportunities for pupils to contribute to community activities, such as litter picking around the village and the beach, which has a strong influence on their social skills.”

The school was rated ‘good’ in all five key areas – standards; wellbeing and attitudes to learning; teaching and learning experiences; care support and guidance and leadership and management.

The report said: “Most pupils develop effective literacy skills and make sound progress in Welsh and English. Most use numeracy purposefully across the curriculum and develop functional and successful information and communication technology (ICT) skills.

“Pupils with special educational needs achieve well against their personal targets. Most pupils are confident learners who take pride in their school and their day-to-day experiences. They are keen to try new experiences at the beginning of lessons and maintain their enthusiasm throughout the sessions.

“Teaching and provision of learning experiences are comprehensive. Teachers and assistants take conscientious and gentle care of their pupils. They provide them with diligent support and guidance, which supports pupils’ trust in their school as a committed community.

“The headteacher’s clear vision to develop the school is successful. With the co-operation of the supportive governors, she implements valid and sensible priorities.

“As a result, they focus thoroughly on maintaining effective provision to improve pupils’ outcomes across the school."

Future recommendations included ensuring that teachers’ responses to pupils’ work leads directly to the next steps in their learning and to provide better opportunities for pupils to make independent choices about their learning.