YSGOL CAER ELEN, a Welsh language school in Haverfordwest, is celebrating its outstanding success after receiving a glowing report from education inspectorate Estyn. The school was inspected in February, and the report stated that Ysgol Caer Elen is “a caring, inclusive Welsh community in which pupils are given valuable opportunities to develop.”
According to the report, the Headteacher and senior management team are passionate and uphold the highest standards for staff and pupils, and leaders work hard in building continuous progression which allows Ysgol Caer Elen to operate as a successful all-age school. The report also found that pupils are very well behaved, showing enjoyment in school life and satisfaction with their learning.
Furthermore, most pupils have a strong awareness of the importance of living a healthy life, both physically and mentally. The report highlighted that pupils have an active voice in school life and are given a range of valuable opportunities to develop their literacy, numeracy, and digital skills across relevant areas of the curriculum. As a result, many pupils make strong progress and attain high standards in their skills, particularly their reading and digital skills.
The school was found to celebrate Welshness and promote every opportunity to develop as confident bilingual learners. An excellent working relationship between staff and pupils was also highlighted in the report, and strong leadership has contributed to ensuring high standards of well-being, pupils’ sound progress, and effective teaching.
Recommendations to expand the range of courses in Key Stage 4 and strengthen provision for personal and social education in Key Stage 4 will now be progressed. Headteacher Dafydd Hughes welcomed the report, stating that Ysgol Caer Elen has developed into a thriving 3-16 Welsh Medium School since opening its doors in 2018. He thanked every member of the Ysgol Caer Elen community for making such an important contribution towards the development of the school.
Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham, also offered his congratulations, stating that the results did not happen by accident and were the result of everyone working hard, pulling together, and striving for continued excellence.
