INSPECTORS visiting a Barry primary were wowed so much by the excellence they recorded they have issued the school with homework.

Education watchdog Estyn, whose officials visited Barry Island primary in July this year, awarded the school a ‘double excellent’ grade making it the first in the Vale to achieve the standard for its current performance and future prospects.

And it now wants the school to act as a written case study.

The technology-savvy staff and pupils impressed while the school was also praised for providing a “rich and diverse” curriculum, forging “strong and effective” partnerships with parents and nurturing a “stimulating and attractive” learning environment.

Lead inspector Eleanor Davies said: “Across the school, pupils have outstandingly good skills in information and communication technology (ICT) and use these well to enhance their learning across the curriculum.

“They use a wide range of computers and other electronic devices exceptionally well as a means of improving their literacy and numeracy skills as well as their technological skills.”

She described teaching as good with staff using technology well to develop pupils’ literacy, numeracy and ICT skills.

She added: “All staff plan and use a wide range of digital resources and applications in their teaching to enhance the skills-based curriculum. Teachers throughout the school have high expectations of pupils.”

Head teacher Ty Golding was praised for his “dynamic and very effective leadership”.

Mr Golding said: “The school received an excellent rating in almost every category of the report, including leadership, learning experience, and care, support and guidance.

The report also praised the school’s ‘strong and effective partnerships with parents’ as well as its ‘outstanding opportunities to use digital technology’ within the classroom.”

He added that the continued success of the school was testament to the commitment of the staff, parents and governing body in ensuring that the children had nothing but the very best learning experiences and opportunities.

Vale Council Cabinet member for Children’s Services, Cllr Chris Elmore, said: “I know that Barry Island primary school has high ambitions to see that local children get the best possible education.

“This school is amongst the very best in Wales and I am grateful to everyone at Barry Island for their commitment and sheer hard work.”