Ken Skates congratulates Minera Primary School near Wrexham following Estyn report

Assembly Member Ken Skates has congratulated a village school after it was rated as ‘good’ by Estyn.

Mr Skates, the Labour AM for Clwyd South, paid tribute to staff at Minera Aided Primary School after its performance was praised by Welsh Government inspectors following their visit earlier this year.

The school has 123 pupils aged three to 11 years on its roll, including 14 pupils in the
nursery class. According to the report, published this week, it has ‘many strengths and no important areas requiring significant improvement’.

Mr Skates said: “It’s a really pleasing report which highlights many positives about the school’s current performance, and that of the teachers and pupils.

“The inspectors have identified that pupils have good speaking and listening skills; the standard of most pupils’ maths is appropriate for their age and the children are generally making good progress.

“The report also states that relationships between staff and pupils are positive and have a beneficial effect on the learning environment and that there is a lot of high quality teaching. Pupils’ positive attitude to learning Welsh is also pleasing, and it’s good to see the inspectors note that their Welsh speaking and writing are developing well.”

The school’s prospects for future improvement were rated as ‘adequate’, and the Estyn report states the ‘recent initiatives focusing on raising standards in literacy and numeracy are starting to have a positive impact on pupils’ standards’.

Mr Skates added: “I congratulate the hard-working staff and pupils on a very positive report which includes much be pleased and proud about, and I look forward to the school going from strength to strength with the council’s support over the next few years.”

The full report can be viewed at http://www.estyn.gov.uk/english/provider/6653337/