Swansea school praised for ‘spellbinding’ teaching

A Swansea school has been praised for excellent leadership and spell-binding teaching by national school inspectors.

Plasmarl Primary School was rated at least good in every category with good prospects of continuing to develop high standards.

School inspectors ESTYN said: “In the most effective lessons pupils are spellbound by the teacher’s energy and enthusiasm. This has a positive impact on pupils’ determination to please and succeed.”

The inspection team has now asked the school to share its excellent practice with other schools across Wales.

Cllr Jen Raynor, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “Well done to Plasmarl Primary School’s pupils, staff, leadership team, parents and other partners. They should be quite rightly proud of the outcome of this inspection.

“It is great to see such drive and determination being harnessed to inspire and enable all pupils to achieve their full potential.”

Inspectors found Plasmarl was a school that is helping turn children’s lives around for the better.

Many join nursery or reception classes with skills that are lower than might be expected for their age. They leave not only having caught up with their peers in other parts of the city, but in some cases they’ve overtaken them too.

Teachers were praised for their role in this success by planning lessons and activities well, having very good working relationships with pupils, and managing pupils behaviour well to create a calm, comfortable and purposeful learning environment. The Year 5/6 teacher was singled out for particular praise.

Pupils were also praised for the way they stay fit, work together, and care for others less fortunate locally and worldwide.

The Head Teacher, her deputy, and the governing body earned the school an excellent for leadership too for bringing about significant improvements over time to enable pupils to make good progress and optimise their future life chances.

Head Teacher Lucy Saunders said, “We are really pleased with the result of our recent inspection. Our pupils, staff, parents and governors all work incredibly hard and we are thrilled that ESTYN have recognised this work in such a positive way. We pride ourselves on being inclusive – our pupils are a credit to us.”

Chair of Governors Lesley Williams said: “We are delighted that ESTYN have recognised the effective partnerships that exist between everyone involved in the life of our lovely school. We have a great team and I’m so pleased that their commitment has been praised by the inspectors.”