Estyn

 
“Ysgol y Dderi has outstanding features that fire pupils’ enthusiasm” say Estyn inspectors.
 
Ysgol y Dderi Area Community School in Llangybi has excelled in an Estyn inspection report released this September 2008, receiving the highest accolade and achieving six Grade 1’s with outstanding features.
 
Ms. Dorothy Morris, the registered inspector and her team praised “the outstanding features of the teaching, stimulating presentations that fire pupils’ enthusiasm and exceptional opportunities for pupils to develop their own ideas to become confident and independent learners”.
 
The report highlights “the quality of the school’s leadership and management and the exceptional collaboration amongst all the staff”.
 
This week the Chairman of the Governing Body, Ted Brown told the Cambrian News:
 
“Head teacher, Mrs. Ann Davies and the Governing Body are delighted. We feel that the inspectors have truly recognised the ethos and culture of the school and have acknowledged the enthusiastic contribution made by each member of the staff and pupils.”
 
“The reports’ recommendations, now incorporated in the School Development Plan, include work to disseminate the outstanding features of the planning and teaching in order to extend learning consistently across the school and to build on the good practice of ensuring pupils’ involvement in the process of assessing their own progress and achievement.”
 
“The Governors are pleased that the inspectors drew attention to the ‘highly effective use of team teaching and generous investment in enthusiastic and effective classroom support staff’ furthermore they noted the strength of the partnership between the Head Teacher and Deputy and the importance of the school’s community and international links”.
 
“As a pilot school for the Early Years Foundation Phase, the inspectors commended Ysgol y Dderi for having held a ‘prominent role in helping other schools prepare for the Foundation Phase and the rich experiences it provides for the children, through sharing its own experiences, information and staff expertise.’

Here is a link to our report on the Estyn website. At the time of writing, the report is for 2002 but will be updated shortly.