TEACHING and outcomes at a Newport primary school are “excellent” according to inspectors, who have asked the school leaders to write a report outlining the secrets of its success.

The 210-pupil Glasllwch CP School on Melbourne Way was placed in Estyn’s highest category of “excellent” after its most recent inspection, with a report published last week.

Inspectors found nearly all pupils make good progress and achieve well, with many making “outstanding” progress particularly in developing their literacy skills.

Head teacher Chris Jackon said she was “absolutely thrilled” with the report and said it was down to the dedication of parents, staff, governors and pupils.

The report found there is a consistent track record of high performance by Glasllwch pupils at the end of Year 6 when compared with similar schools, and the impact of the pupils’ voice initiatives is “considerable” in promoting pupils’ confidence, enjoyment and their enthusiasm for learning.

Standards of behaviour were praised as “exemplary” and pupils show a high level of care for each other.

“Rich learning experiences” and “highly effective teaching” in all classes ensure pupils are motivated and engaged.

The quality of assessment and tracking of pupils’ progress is “outstanding” and the school’s care and support of pupils is exceptional, especially the way in which staff develop pupils’ self-esteem and attitudes to their learning.

The school’s prospects for improvement were dubbed excellent because the head teacher provides “outstanding leadership and direction”.

She has communicated a clear vision, which ensures “a relentless drive for improvement is firmly embedded” into school life, inspectors said.

There is a collaborative approach to leadership throughout the school; analysis of data is very detailed; the school has excellent procedures for self-evaluating and planning for improvement; there is a strong, professional learning culture among staff, and the level of team-working in school improvement activities is “very high”.

The governing body was praised for challenging the school “very effectively” and inspectors found the school shares its practice very effectively with a range of school improvement partners.

It tasked the school with improving pupils’ Welsh writing skills from years three to six as well as their ability to apply their numeracy skills across the curriculum, handwriting and presentation skills of a minority of pupils.

“Estyn will invite the school to prepare a written case study, describing the excellent practice identified during the inspection,” said the report.