A Cardiff primary school has improved in all aspects and made dramatic progress, according to national inspectors.
Estyn inspectors visited Windsor Clive Primary School in Ely earlier this year and found that the school had come on leaps and bounds since previous inspections and the amalgamation of Windsor Clive Infant School and Windsor Clive Junior School.
The new school opened in September 2008 and since then, inspectors reported, has been transformed under the dynamic leadership of headteacher, Mrs Vicky Meadows. Inspectors awarded the school the highest grade, Grade 1, in five of the seven key questions and two Grade 2s.
Windsor Clive is described as having many outstanding features, providing pupils with high-quality learning experiences within a nurturing, supportive ethos that ensures the children develop positive attitudes, achieve good standards and are well-prepared for their next phase of learning.
Overall, children achieve good standards and make progress to achieve their set targets.
In 86 per cent of the lessons observed, standards achieved by the pupils were Grade 2 or above which is above the figure published in the latest annual report by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI) for 2007/8 where standards are reported as being good or better in 84 per cent of lessons.
The quality of teaching in lessons observed was Grade 2 or above in 89 per cent of lessons which is again above the HMCI annual report figure of 83 per cent.
Standards and progress in the key skills of speaking, listening and reading are good across the school while pupils’ problem solving, independent learning and creative skills are also good.
Pupils progress well in their personal and social learning skills and in their moral and wider development. Most are highly motivated, work productively and make effective use of their time. They display positive attitudes to learning and show interest, enthusiasm and concentration when learning new skills.
Inspectors reported that children at Windsor Clive work happily with others and their citizenship skills are developing very well. They take their roles and responsibilities seriously, for example, as members of the school council and eco committee. They are able to express their opinions confidently, knowing that their views are valued by adults.
The behaviour of nearly all the pupils is outstanding. They are friendly, polite and courteous and are willing to help teachers and support staff.
The quality of extra-curricular activities, out-of-school provision and partnerships with other providers are outstanding. There are strong links with parents, the community and local businesses.
Inspectors praised the leadership and management of the school as outstanding at all levels. Mrs Meadows is ably supported and complemented by her deputy headteachers, the senior management team, subject leaders and teaching assistants. Inspectors highlighted the highly effective arrangements for the professional development of all staff as a key factor of the school’s success.
Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Cllr Freda Salway said: “It’s wonderful to hear of another one of our newly amalgamated schools winning the praises of Estyn inspectors in their first inspection as a new school. I’m delighted that Windsor Clive Primary has made such impressive progress.
“My congratulations and thanks go to the dedicated and hard-working staff whose efforts deserve this accolade.”
Headteacher Vicky Meadows said: “The awarding of the highest grades in five of the seven key questions in the report is particularly pleasing for the newly-formed school. We are delighted that the report acknowledges the dramatic progress and many improvements made since the previous inspections and in creating a unified, single school in the short time since amalgamation.
“We are particularly pleased that the report recognises that the essence of Windsor Clive Primary’s effectiveness is in the shared vision among all staff which is to create a ‘centre of excellence’ for all, supported by energy and commitment from the team and outstanding working relationships between all staff and pupils.
“The positive endorsements together with constructive feedback received from the inspection team will enable the school to build on these achievements for continuing improvement.”
