BLAENAU

Overview

The school provides a productive learning environment underpinned by robust care and strong staff-pupil relationships, fostering positive attitudes in most pupils. While the acting headteacher has brought stability and initiated gradual improvements in teaching and well-being, the school faces a significant financial deficit that governors have not yet addressed effectively.

Strengths

• Staff provide "robust care, support and guidance," knowing pupils very well.
• Teachers plan engaging curriculum activities that improve pupils' literacy and digital skills.
• Many pupils make "sound progress from their starting points."
• The acting headteacher has provided stability and set strategic objectives that have begun to improve progress and standards.

Areas to improve

• Governors must agree and implement a recovery plan to address the significant deficit in the school’s financial budget.
• The school needs to expand opportunities for pupils to apply their numeracy skills across the curriculum.
• Provision should be improved to strengthen pupils’ oracy skills and support the development of independent learning skills.

Safeguarding

The report states that the school provides "robust care, support and guidance for its pupils," which contributes to a productive learning environment and positive attitudes.