Abermule Primary School is in the village of Abermule, about three miles north of Newtown in Powys. There are currently 53 pupils on roll aged 4 to 11. There is one class for pupils in the foundation phase and one class for pupils in key stage 2. The average proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals over the last three years is around 21%. This is above the national average of 18%. The school identifies nearly 19% of pupils as having additional learning needs. This is below the national average of 21%. All pupils come from a white ethnic background and speak English as their first language. Very few pupils speak Welsh at home. The headteacher took up her permanent post in April 2017, following two terms as acting headteacher. The last inspection was in December 2012. Further information is available from the Welsh Government My Local School website at the link below. http://mylocalschool.wales.gov.uk/Schools/SchoolSearch?lang=en 1 A report on Abermule Primary School January 2019 Summary The school has a warm family atmosphere and works closely with parents to ensure pupils’ wellbeing. As a result, nearly all pupils feel safe and enjoy coming to school. Older pupils support younger pupils very well. Teachers provide interesting learning experiences that engage pupils successfully in their learning. They take good account of pupils’ own ideas about what they would like to learn. There are purposeful opportunities for pupils to apply their speaking and listening, literacy and information and communication technology (ICT) skills in their work across the curriculum. However, there are too few opportunities for pupils to apply their numeracy skills in all areas of learning. The majority of pupils make sound progress as they move through the school, but a minority do not always achieve as well as they could. Pupils with additional learning needs make good progress from their starting points. The headteacher has established a clear vision for the school and has initiated a number of worthwhile changes since her appointment. These are beginning to have a positive impact on pupils’ progress. All members of staff collaborate effectively to work towards the achievement of identified priorities for improvement. Inspection area Judgement Standards Adequate and needs improvement Wellbeing and attitudes to learning Good Teaching and learning experiences Adequate and needs improvement Care, support and guidance Good Leadership and management Good 2 A report on Abermule Primary School January 2019 Recommendations R1 Raise standards in pupils’ writing R2 Improve pupils’ Welsh language skills R3 Ensure that learning experiences provide a consistently appropriate level of challenge for all pupils R4 Increase opportunities, and ensure progression, in pupils’ application of their numeracy skills across the curriculum R5 Address the safeguarding and health and safety issues identified during the inspection What happens next The school will produce an action plan to show how it is going to address the recommendations.