Principal praises all as school improves

A HEAD TEACHER has credited teachers, pupils and parents with helping to improve standards after her school was removed from monitoring by inspectors.

Bryn Hafod Primary in Llanrumney, Cardiff, was given the second-lowest inspection rating of “adequate” when it was inspected in November 2015 and put under monitoring.

Since then the 335-pupil school has raised standards across everything from attendance to literacy and numeracy, and governors have strengthened their scrutiny of the school, a new report by inspection body Estyn says.

Changes the school have made include raising standards among boys by having more topics geared to them and better monitoring of their progress in the Foundation Phase.

Rhian Lundrigan, who has been head teacher since September 2015, said: “I am delighted that we have been removed from Estyn monitoring and this latest report has proved the school has turned a corner.

“All staff, pupils, parents and governors have played an important part in Bryn Hafod’s journey of school improvement over the last 18 months.

“The recommendations that Estyn identified for the school in November 2015 have been instrumental in moving the school forward. The governors are also delighted that Estyn has recognised the progress made in a short period of time, which reflects the commitment and dedication of all the staff.

“We are now looking to the future, we have worked really hard to get to this point and we are all sharing a common vision to continue to grow and build on the foundations we now have in place. These are very exciting times for Bryn Hafod Primary School.”

In their latest report inspectors noted the school has revised and improved its literacy planning, as well as making good progress with maths in all year groups. Attendance is now in the top 50% when compared with similar schools, and persistent absence is declining.

Improvements in quality of teaching and changes made to the composition of the governing body – it now has a new chairman and vice-chairman – resulted in more effective learning and working.

“Governors are now more confident to challenge the school about its performance, including the progress pupils are making and priorities for school improvement,” the report says.

“For example, governors recently questioned and challenged the school about the low number of boys achieving the higher outcomes in the Foundation Phase classes. As a result, the school revised its teaching strategies and approaches to include more boyorientated topics and better monitoring of boys’ progress.”

Sarah Merry, Cardiff council’s cabinet member for education, said: “This is a significant achievement for Bryn Hafod Primary School and the staff, pupils, governors and parents deserve recognition for their hard work.”