Abercarn Primary School is in the village of Abercarn within Caerphilly local authority. There are 253 pupils aged three to eleven years on roll, including 34 pupils who attend the nursery on a part-time basis. The school has identified around 18% of its pupils as having additional learning needs, including very few pupils with statements of special educational needs. Approximately 15% of pupils are entitled to free school meals, which is below average for the local authority and Wales. Very few pupils are looked after by the local authority. In the 12 months before to the inspection, one pupil received a temporary exclusion. Nearly all pupils are of white British ethnicity. No pupil speaks Welsh at home. A very few pupils speak English as an additional language. The headteacher took up post in September 2011. The school’s previous inspection was in April 2012. Further information is available from the Welsh Government My Local School website at the link below. http://mylocalschool.wales.gov.uk/Schools/SchoolSearch?lang=en 1 A report on Abercarn Primary School November 2017 Summary The school is a safe, happy and caring community that nurtures pupils’ personal, social, spiritual and cultural skills well. There is a strong inclusive, caring and supportive ethos of trust and teamwork. Nearly all pupils behave very well in class and around the school. They are polite and friendly, and treat other children and adults with respect. Most pupils make good progress and achieve very well by the end of key stage 2. Pupils with additional learning needs make particularly good progress. Nearly all teachers are confident and well organised, and manage their classroom resources effectively. They know their pupils well and have high expectations of what they can achieve. Leaders are effective and have been successful in bringing about improvements across the school. Inspection area Judgement Standards Good Wellbeing and attitudes to learning Good Teaching and learning experiences Good Care, support and guidance Good Leadership and management Good 2 A report on Abercarn Primary School November 2017 Recommendations R1 Improve provision for outdoor learning in the foundation phase R2 Improve opportunities for staff to develop their professional practice with other schools What happens next The school will draw up an action plan to address the recommendations from the inspection.