Brynmenyn Primary School shines in Estyn inspection

In a recent Estyn inspection, Brynmenyn Primary School demonstrated its success in helping its learners develop.

One of four Bridgend schools inspected between summer and autumn term 2022, Brynmenyn Primary School was visited by Estyn in October 2022, under new inspection arrangements that support the renewal and reform in Welsh education.

The new inspection reports detail how well providers are supporting a child to learn, rather than using the summative gradings used previously.

The current Estyn reporting format uses the following categories when judging a school:

• No follow up
• Estyn review
• Significant improvement required
• Special measures required

Satisfied that the school is making sufficient progress, Estyn inspectors deemed that ‘no follow-up action’ is required at Brynmenyn Primary School.

Recommendations for the school to continue to strive forward with its success, ranged from improving the Welsh speaking skills of learners, to providing opportunities for pupils to become independent learners.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all schools were exempt from Estyn inspections for a two-year period – from March 2020 to February 2022.

In the meantime, Estyn has developed its inspection procedures and a pilot for this new approach took place in the spring and summer term 2022.

We are extremely proud of Brynmenyn Primary School, having been marked as needing no Estyn follow up. In light of both the academic and personal challenges posed by the pandemic, the school has done exceptionally well to demonstrate the progress of its learners.

Well done, Brynmenyn Primary School! The inspection report is a clear indication of the hard work of staff and children alike. Keep up the sterling efforts!

Councillor Jon-Paul Blundell, the Cabinet Member for Education