A CITY primary school is celebrating receiving ‘excellent’ grades across all areas in a recent Estyn inspection.

Glan Usk Primary School in Newport, which has 683 pupils from aged three to 11, was last inspected in 2011, when it scored a ‘good’ rating.

But, seven years later the school has improved to record ‘excellent’ grades in the categories of standards: wellbeing and attitudes towards learning, teaching and learning experience, care support and guidance, and leadership and management.

Head teacher, Jeff Beecher, explained: “When a new school opens, or schools are amalgamated, they have to be inspected within 18 months.

“Our last inspection was May 2011 and the two main judgements in that previous inspection were good standards and excellent leadership.”

In their report, Estyn inspectors commented that the pupil’s oracy skills were “outstanding” overall, and added that nearly all pupils listen “exceptionally well” to adults and each other.

Nearly all pupil’s attitudes towards learning were said to be “exceptionally strong”, with pupils said to be participating “actively and enthusiastically” in nearly all classrooms.

The bespoke curriculum was described as “creative and innovative”, while the school was described as an “emotionally intelligent community”.

The only recommendation suggested by the inspectors was that the school improves attendance.

“Attendance is a concern in various authorities,” said Mr Beecher.

“It’s parents’ responsibility to get their children into school, so we were delighted that the only recommendation was directly aimed at parents, rather than the school. They commended us on the work we do to raise attendance levels, but there’s only so much schools can do, because it is the parents’ responsibility.

“Newport is an authority that needs to raise levels of attendance, but I think all schools in Newport do an amazing job to try to get children into school, working with parents and families.”

Councillor Gail Giles, Newport City Council’s cabinet member for education and skills praised the head, staff, pupils and governors of the school following the inspection result.

Cllr Giles said: “I would like to congratulate the head teacher Jeffrey Beecher and his staff for all their hard work in achieving such outstanding results following their recent Estyn inspection.

“Pupils, parents and governors should also be praised for their hard work and support in helping Glan Usk Primary School to be one of the best in Newport.”

John Griffiths, AM for Newport East, wrote to school to offer his congratulations.

Mr Griffiths said: “It is a great achievement to attain the highest standards and even more impressive to sustain and build on top quality education and support, as Glan Usk has since it opened. This matters so much to the local community as year after year children benefit from such a solid base.”