School Garnteg Primary school is in Garndiffaith in Pontypool in the Torfaen local authority. Following the closure of Victoria Primary School in July 2018, the school received an additional 164 pupils in September 2018. As a result, the school now has 448 pupils aged from 3 to 11, including 60 pupils who attend the nursery on a part-time basis. The average proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals over the last three years is approximately 38%. This is well above the average for Wales (18%). The school has identified 36% of pupils as having additional learning needs. This is well above the national average of 21%. Nineteen pupils are in the care of the local authority. Nearly all pupils are of white British ethnicity and come from homes where English is the main language. No pupils speak Welsh at home. The school is currently a pioneer school and is working with the Welsh Government and other schools to take forward developments relating to the curriculum. The headteacher took up her post in February 2010. The previous inspection of Garnteg Primary School was in May 2015 and the previous inspection of Victoria Primary School was in May 2014. 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 Garnteg Primary School March 2019 Summary Garnteg Primary School is an effective learning community. Nearly all pupils are happy and confident individuals with a high level of enthusiasm for learning. Nearly all make very strong progress in developing a wide range of skills that they use positively across the curriculum. By the time they leave the school, the standard of pupils’ oracy and numeracy skills is particularly high. Pupils’ behaviour is very good and, from a young age, they show excellent attitudes to learning. Pupils have a very effective voice in the school, both in planning the curriculum and making changes to their learning environments. The curriculum is exciting and teachers deliver it through stimulating learning experiences. There is very strong, considerate leadership throughout the school. The headteacher has high expectations of all staff and pupils, and leads by example. Teachers lead important aspects of the school’s development very well. The school reviews its performance continually and highly effectively. Staff are outward looking, share their best practice well and are keen to engage and learn from schools. Inspection area Judgement Standards Good Wellbeing and attitudes to learning Excellent Teaching and learning experiences Good Care, support and guidance Excellent Leadership and management Excellent 2 A report on Garnteg Primary School March 2019 Recommendations R1 Ensure that teaching challenges all pupils at an appropriately high level and develops their independent learning skills effectively R2 Improve the quality of teachers’ feedback to pupils to enable all pupils to improve their work successfully What happens next The school will draw up an action plan to address the recommendations from the inspection. Estyn will invite the school to prepare a case study on its work in relation to school reorganisation and the transition of a large number of pupils into the school as a result of the closure of a neighbouring school.