SCHOOL OF THE WEEK: Pentrepoeth Primary School

JUST five miles from the bustle of Newport city centre, Pentrepoeth Primary’s grounds encompass a stunning, natural environment in which children can develop.

The school has embraced its quaint location, with breathtaking views across the lower Ebbw Valley and acres upon acres of green fields surrounding the school building.

This glorious outdoor space is fully utilised, with a rugby and football pitch; a large play area; nature trail; allotments; numerous outdoor seating areas; and even a pond. Perhaps, it should come as little surprise to note that the school has four eco flags.

Indeed, the school’s eco club is one of its most popular offerings. The pupils are very hands on in the club and even contribute to the school’s eco newsletter, which has been printed for 10 years.

With the school having only been in existence since 1986, this natural philosophy has been firmly shaped and maintained by Anne Carlyle, who has been head teacher since September 2010.

A former teacher at the school, Mrs Carlyle has put an emphasis on the school’s motto, croeso, and creating a caring, respectful and open environment in which success and opportunity flourish.

Wherever you turn in the school, the allusions to this motto are not far away and Mrs Carlyle said that this is a motto driven by the school’s community.

She said: “I was here as a teacher when the school opened in 1986 and it was lovely to come back as a head. I was coming back home and coming full circle.

“I wanted to put my values and vision in place for the school.

“The school has a positive ethos, with the croeso statement, and the children put it all together.

“The leadership aspects are excellent, with very supportive staff leading to a great team culture here. A lot of the staff even live within the community.

“Many of the parents of the pupils were taught at the school and it holds happy memories for them. They’ve chosen to bring their own children here as a result.

“Every year, we have more applications than we have space.”

Although blessed with a natural setting outside the school walls, Pentrepoeth has also been quick to embrace technology and modern teaching methods.

For example, upon entering the school, visitors will be struck by a television in the foyer. The pupils are effectively in charge of the content on the television and endless sideshows of their activities dominate.

The pupils have even secured sponsorship from local businesses to ‘sponsor’ an advertising slot on their very own channel. All money raised is going towards the construction of a new potting shed, with the television having been funded by the Parent Teachers’ Association.

Clearly, technology is a key focus of the school and there are televisions, iPads, iPods and laptops throughout. The children’s work on these devices is then shared in the classroom through presentations or aired on the television in the foyer.

Yet it is not just technology where the school is blazing a trail; it has adopted the Read Write Inc programme in a bid to raise literacy standards for every child aged four to 11.

Now in its second year at the school, the programme is designed to create fluent readers, confident speakers and willing writers.

For the first hour of every morning, small groups of children are taken in focus groups by their teacher. The results are impressive, with a group of Year 2 students already attempting to spell the word tyrannosaurus.

Alongside these modern methods, music and physical activity remain pillars of the school.

Every Wednesday, Gwent Music visits the school to give a traditional music lesson. Mrs Carlyle said that despite all the distractions children have these days, music remains one of the school’s key extracurricular activities.

She said: “In times of austerity and cutbacks, there is so much music in the school and the parents are choosing it.

“The pupils could then take it on to Bassaleg School, where they can play in a school orchestra, or take it even further afield in Gwent. It means they can become all-rounded citizens of the future.

“Overall, we promote a wide range of extracurricular activities and the hall is used every night.

“There’s always something going on and that imprint was left by the school’s first head teacher, Mr Hayes, who was a fine pianist.”

The school also has a proud tradition of sport with Alix Popham, the former back row who won 33 caps for Wales between 2003 and 2008, a former pupil.

Whether it is rugby, netball, football, athletics or dance, the school caters for all the children’s needs and boasts two national gymnasts, Milly Rabaiotti and Ellie-Mae Wainwright.

Another key tradition of the school is the Welsh language and given how Estyn recommended an improvement in Welsh writing standards, this has clearly been taken on board by Mrs Carlyle.

She said: “We’re recognised as a school of good practice within the Welsh advisory service in Gwent.

“One of our members of staff, Mr Williams, is working to help develop those who are less confident.

“Several members of staff are Welsh speakers, which really enhances the curriculum.”

With plans already afoot for a new outdoor classroom, there are solid foundations in place for Pentrepoeth to continue to evolve and expand.

Indeed, some of these plans could prove historic for the school, with the potential construction of a nursery in the offing ahead of September 2016.

Yet, regardless of the awards, construction plans and elite athletes, one thing will also remain at the heart of the school: its warm welcome.

Head teacher: Anne Carlyle

Number of pupils: 412

Age range: 4 – 11

Largest class: Year 5, 30 students

Motto: Croeso: To create a caring, respectful and open environment in which success and opportunity flourish

Estyn inspection: The school was last inspected in October 2014. The school’s performance was rated as good, with its prospects for improvement rated as excellent. Recommendations made by Estyn included raising standards in Welsh writing; ensuring that pupils have sufficient opportunities to apply their numeracy and problem-solving skills across the curriculum; and to share the “very good” teaching and assessment for learning strategies across the school to ensure consistent practice.