A “happy and thriving” Powys Primary school has received lots of praise from Estyn inspectors.

Gladestry C.I.W. School near Kington, was hailed in a recent Estyn inspection for its “nurturing ethos” in what was an overall positive report.

Inspectors said: “Gladestry Primary School is a happy and thriving learning community. Pupils enjoy school and make good progress as learners and in their overall development within the school’s nurturing ethos.

“They are proud of their school and their achievements. Their behaviour is excellent and the care and respect they show for one another is exemplary. Pupils have a good level of influence over the life and work of the school, for example by creating and implementing the school’s rules.”

Inspectors also found the pupils were performing well academically and said “nearly all pupils develop and use their literacy, Welsh language, numeracy, digital skills well and use these effectively and enthusiastically across the broad range of learning experiences.”

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Staff at the school were praised for their partnership work with parents which inspectors found to be “highly beneficial”.

Headteacher, Rosalin Beck, was praised by inspectors for providing “highly effective strategic and nurturing leadership”.

They added: “She has worked successfully with the school community to implement a vision for continuous school improvement and to establish a supportive culture where pupils thrive.

“This work supports nearly all pupils to make consistently strong progress as learners and to achieve good levels of well-being. The headteacher has developed a strong team ethos that all staff contribute to enthusiastically.”

Whilst it was highly positive report, inspectors did note that “the school’s work to improve provision for the younger pupils at the school is at an early stage of development”.

They added: “Provision for the school’s younger pupils develops many of their skills appropriately. However, adults tend to structure and guide most activities. They do not always provide enough opportunity for pupils to lead their own learning or to learn through play when indoors or outside. School leaders are aware of this.”