A Torfaen school where attendance is at the heart of its values has been praised in a glowing inspection report.
Henllys Church in Wales Primary School in Cwmbran was commended by Estyn inspectors for fostering "a culture of belonging" and placing pupil well-being at the centre of everything it does.
Phillipa Minto, headteacher, said: "As a school community, we are immensely proud of our recently published Estyn Inspection report.
"It truly reflects the ethos and culture of our school, where pupils are clearly thriving and have a strong sense of belonging.
"This huge success is a reflection of the commitment and dedication of our children, staff, governors and families."
Estyn highlighted the school’s success in reducing persistent absenteeism through strong relationships with pupils and families, and its focus on well-being.
Cllr Richard Clark, Torfaen County Borough Council executive member for children, families and education, said: "Congratulations to staff, pupils and families at Henllys Church in Wales Primary School for an excellent Estyn report.
"It shows good school attendance benefits individual pupils and fosters a strong sense of community within the school.
"When children miss school - everyone misses out!"
Inspectors described the curriculum as broad, balanced, and purposeful, enriched with real-life examples, practical life skills, and a mix of indoor and outdoor learning.
They singled out the school’s reflective approach to learning as a particular strength, noting its work with neighbouring primaries to share effective practice and strengthen assessment processes.
Estyn made two recommendations for further improvement: to strengthen opportunities for pupils to think independently and solve problems through appropriately challenging learning, and to improve pupils’ Welsh oracy skills.
The report follows a period of collaborative work with nearby schools, which has improved how teachers help pupils reflect on their work and respond to feedback.
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