A Powys Primary School was praised as ”innovative" in a glowing Estyn report which has held it up as an example to others.

Bosses at Ysgol Pontrobert expressed their happiness after a new Estyn report praised the school as “a happy, homely and extremely hardworking place where the whole school community works together successfully and pupils make sound progress”.

School head Catherine Parry said the report was a great way to start this school year before they head in to their centenary next year.

“We were extremely pleased, it couldn’t have gone much better for us really, so we are very happy,”  said Ms Parry.

“It’s all down to the team, I know everybody says that but you can’t do anything without a good team.

"It’s due to all the staff the teachers, the non- teaching staff. The governors are very hands on here they come to school very often. The parents are very supportive, the local community come and supportive with things like the Macmillan events.”

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Estyn inspectors were full of praise for the school’s methods and said “The school provides an innovative curriculum and a range of exciting experiences that support the principles of the Curriculum for Wales successfully.

“There is a wonderful working relationship between staff and pupils, which focuses on ensuring that all pupils feel safe and enjoy all of their learning experiences. As a result, pupils’ attitudes to learning are commendable and this permeates all aspects of school life.”

Ms Parry, who has been head of the school for 12 years, said the report was the culmination of the image she and the staff have had for the school.

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“We had a really strong vision and it is now where we wanted it,” said Ms Parry. “Obviously that has evolved slightly but I think we have got the school where we want it.

“We have a hard working ethic, have high expectations and get the children to their potential. Not all children will reach the same place but if we can get the best of that potential then we have done our job.

“We were very proud that the provision of our new curriculum could be an example to other schools in Wales so they can come here and visit us.”

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The school was praised for its work with Welsh Language and Welsh history something that the staff are very proud of.

“There is a very Welsh ethic here and we are very proud of the traditions in the Welsh language. I think they said it was infectious the feeling pupils had of speaking Welsh at school,” said Ms Parry.

“Most children come from bilingual if not English homes but by year six everyone is bilingual and proud of the language and proud of the culture and that is important to us as a staff.”

“We started with the children’s area so they know their own history and then you build from there because there is no point learning about other parts of the world if you don’t know your own area first.”