City nursery gets top marks (From South Wales Argus)

City nursery gets top marks

4:20pm Tuesday 11th August 2009 in News By Jane Helmich

A NEWPORT nursery earmarked for closure when the pupils move to a brand new school has got top marks from official inspectors.

Rockfield, now officially known as Glan Usk Nursery, was awarded grade ones in all seven categories by the Estyn team.

They described it as a good school with many outstanding features.

"It is a happy, stimulating and well managed learning environment for all its children."

Inspectors also found that the most children were confident, independent learners and all enjoyed each other's company, playing and working together very well.

The children's behaviour was described as exemplary and their personal social, moral and wider skills were "outstanding".

Teaching was also said to be an outstanding feature of the school and the team praised the care and guidance given by all staff to the children.

Only two recommendations were made

• Continue to maintain the current outstanding standards achieved in all areas of the school
• Continue the development of staff to ensure the seamless transition to the new school.

Generations of children attended the small Rockfield Nursery before most moved on to the infants in nearby Durham Road, now Glan Usk Primary.

Glan Usk head teacher Jeff Beecher was asked to manage the nursery following the retirement of the previous head and its name was officially changed to Glan Usk Nursery, although the inspection team decided to refer to it as Rockfield in the report.

Next year, pupils from the primary and the nursery are due to move to a purpose-built new school on part of the Glebelands Recreation Grounds.