Gwynedd primary school judged as ‘excellent’ by inspectors to delight of staff an governors

A Gwynedd primary school has been given an “excellent” rating across the board by school inspectors  – a rare stamp of the highest possible approval.

Following an inspection in January, Ysgol Tregarth was found to have hit the highest grading all five categories, which has been greeted with delight by staff and governors.

The 104 pupil school, near Bethesda, received particular praise for the standards of teaching,  pupils’ behaviour and robust leadership.

With around 57% of pupils coming from Welsh- speaking homes, promoting the use of the language and pride in Welsh culture was also said to be given continuous attention in the school’s provision.

In all, the school met excellent standards in the following fields:

• Standards;
• Wellbeing and Attitudes to Learning;
• Teaching and Learning Experiences;
• Care, Support and Guidance and
• Leadership and Management

The inspectors’ summary noted the headteacher’s “supportive and robust leadership” which sets a  “clear strategic direction for developing the school”.

“This ensures that all pupils attain to the best of their ability in a happy, familial and inclusive ethos.

“An excellent feature of the school is the familial and caring ethos, which creates a close- knit community in which pupils and staff care for each other naturally.

“As a result, pupils feel happy and safe at school, and reflect the school’s motto, ‘Hapus yn ein Dysgu/Happy in our Learning’, very successfully.”

Welcoming the glowing report, Bleddyn Jones the school’s Chair of Governors, said: “I would like to thank the staff of the School – the headteacher, management team, teachers, teaching assistants, support workers – for their hard work.

“We were pleased to welcome Estyn to visit the school and the final result is well deserved.

“I believe that the five ‘excellent’ judgements from Estyn reflect the commitment of staff, pupils and parents to creating an environment that promotes learning in a positive and open way, where pupils can receive education that suits them as individuals.

“Whilst the school’s main function is to provide education, the Estyn report refers to potentially more important factors – that Ysgol Tregarth is more than welcoming and that the pupils are happy.”

Lliwen Jones, Ysgol Tregarth’s Headteacher, added:  “I’d like to thank and praise all our staff for their commitment to ensure the highest quality possible education for our pupils which go beyond expectations to deliver such rich experiences that prepare our pupils to be lifelong learners.

“It was pleasing to see the report recognising and highlighting Ysgol Tregarth as a happy, safe, inclusive and caring learning community where pupils take pride in their school and its local community.

“As a school community involving staff, pupils, parents and the wider community, we look forward to future challenges with confidence whilst developing the new Curriculum.”

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter