A Chepstow school has missed out on a top grade in a recent Esytn report.

The Dell school has been deemed as 'good' by inspectors, who despite not awarding the top 'excellent' rating, described the school's performance as having 'many current strengths and no important areas requiring significant improvement'.

Estyn inspectors have just published the document, after visiting on 1st-4th July.

Headmaster Steve King spoke to the Beacon about the report.

"The key thing is that they've deemed the quality of teaching and learning as good," he said.

"We have done an enormous amount as a school over the past year. We have redecorated and spent a lot of time looking at our vision and direction.

"In the last year we have added outdoor learning areas, upgraded our IT and broadband and invested in new laptops and ipads.

"This is very much what good schools should be doing."

Despite a 'good' grading in regards to the school's current performance, the Dell received an 'adequate' grade in its prospects for future improvement.

'Although teachers plan and work together successfully, there is a lack of planning, co-ordination and evaluation at whole-school level,' the report states.

It also says: 'changes to leadership and staffing structures have not had sufficient time to impact on raising standards further.'

"Their views are that plans weren't progressive enough," said Mr King. "That they have deemed leadership as 'adequate' is frustrating.

"We have a fantastic team of staff here. They are all very passionate and driven to improving the school."

Mr King and his team have many plans to improve the school further. "In the future we aim to raise the standards for the more able students, those at levels 5- 6.

"We want to really push those more able children. I want these children to really fly."

The Dell school sits in the centre of Chepstow and has 410 pupils, of which only 3.5 per cent qualify for free school meals. Because of this, the school has a budget of £2,777 per pupil, the smallest budget per pupil in Monmouthshire.

"The school is seeing a reduction in the financial leftovers, but our teachers are very resourceful," said Mr King.

"It is a shame for the number of pupils we get and we are going to be further pushed in years to come. But money doesn't change things, it's good teaching that changes things."

Estyn has drawn up a list of five recommendations for the school.

Amongst the points, the inspector suggests that the school improves standards in Welsh and the pupils' awareness of the heritage of Wales, and that they improve self-evaluation.

Staff at the Dell now have to draw up an action plan explaining how they are going to address these recommendations.