A CATHOLIC Primary School was recognised for its warm and caring learning environment during its latest inspection.

St Joseph's, on Brackley Avenue, was rated by Estyn as good in Standards, Wellbeing and attitudes to learning, Teaching and learning experiences, Care, support and guidance and Leadership and management.

The school has 235 children on roll between the age of three and 11, including 30 part-time pupils in the nursery.

North Wales Pioneer:

Children in year one dissecting owl pellets to find out what they eat

The Estyn report stated: "As they move through the school, pupils make good progress in developing their literacy and numeracy skills, and they apply them confidently across the curriculum.

"Staff know pupils well. They give pupils interesting learning experiences and question them effectively to consolidate their knowledge and understanding. This develops pupils’ sense of curiosity and independence well, particularly across the foundation phase.

"The school creates an exceptionally warm and caring learning atmosphere. As a result, pupils feel valued, and strive to reach their potential.

"Staff and leaders support pupils with additional learning needs well."

North Wales Pioneer:

Older pupils visiting the nursery

James Wilkinson, headteacher, said: "We work extremely hard at St Joseph’s to provide a supportive environment for a diverse range of learners, and we’re pleased that the inspectors appreciated our efforts in these areas, and the role it plays in pupil development.”

John Mulley, parent governor, said “All of us associated with St Joseph’s know how well the staff and pupils are doing, and it’s great to see this reflected in the inspection report.

"We’re a small school, with a real family atmosphere, and the close relationship between staff, pupils and parents was obviously readily apparent to the inspectors, even in their relatively short visit.

"What’s really disappointing is that recent funding cuts will make it difficult to maintain and build on some of the brilliant activities identified in the report."

Estyn gave three recommendations to the school: to improve the ability of pupils to make independent choices and decisions about what and how they learn in key stage two; Ensure that teachers’ planning enables pupils to develop the full range of ICT skills systematically across the curriculum and to provide more opportunities.