Archive Council News

25 April 2008

Chirk Infants is Officially Outstanding

There's smiles all round in Chirk Infants school following the news it has received an outstanding Estyn Inspection report. Seven areas were inspected and all received a staggering Grade 1 "good with outstanding features". The quality of 61% of the teaching was also graded 1 which far exceeds the Welsh average of 17%.

The school is also used as a model for the authority with teachers and advisors from all over Wales visiting to view good practice. The school is in the fourth year of the "Healthy Schools" award and is an "Eco School". The school has achieved the Basic Skills Agency's Primary Quality mark for the second time in October 2007.

In their report inspectors noted that "children in both the nursery and reception classes receive an outstanding start to their school life and are already very well prepared for the new Foundation Phase. Their experiences are rich and creative and they are curious and eager to explore them".

"The school sets very challenging targets for pupils of all abilities to achieve based on their past levels of attainment and pupils are successful in reaching these levels. Pupils' progress in their key skills, including bilingualism, is good with outstanding features."

"Pupils' personal development, including their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good with outstanding features. They take a pride in their work and it is well presented. Pupils know right from wrong and have very mature ideas on fairness and tolerance."

The inspectors also noted the pupils' understanding of how to stay healthy is good with outstanding features and they are well behaved and polite and thoughtful towards each other. They interact well with the many adults who visit or work in the school.

"The care, guidance and support for pupils is good with outstanding features. The school makes an outstanding contribution to the welfare of pupils. There are rigorous procedures to keep the pupils safe. There are excellent systems to welcome new children to the school mean they settle quickly to life in Nursery and reception. Provision for pupils with additional learning needs is good with outstanding features and there are very good links with the local authority, educational and psychological services to support these pupils. The needs of pupils with a disability are well planned for and resourced."

"The headteacher provides calm and assured leadership. She has created an excellent team of teachers and staff at all levels who take significant leadership roles. She is very well supported by her deputy headteacher.

Chair of Governors Frank Hemmings, said:

"The result of this inspection is due to the hard work and dedication of all of the staff and governors of the school and in particular the leadership of the Headteacher Mrs Kath Eccleston. I feel proud to be associated with the school and honoured to be the Chair of Governors working with a committed team of teachers who will always go the extra mile to be the best in what they do and to provide the best education possible to the children of Chirk and also a dedicated Board of governors who give their own time to run the school and make the decisions that have taken the school to where it is today. The most important factor is the children who have made the school what it is and their parents who have worked with the school to achieve what we have done; it is a whole school team effort that has made this one of the best schools in Wales.

Headteacher, Kath Eccleston, said:

"I am absolutely delighted with this outstanding report which reflects the professionalism and dedication of everyone involved in providing the children of Chirk with an excellent education. I am proud of our pupils, staff, parents and governors who have worked as a team to provide a curriculum which is vibrant, stimulating and effective. It is a pleasure to work with such delightful children who have the potential to do very well in the future."