Caban Aur

Overview

Caban Aur is a small independent school in a rural setting on Ynys Môn, providing education for pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties who reside in associated children’s homes. The report notes that a new headteacher, appointed in September 2019, is “beginning to make a positive impact” following previous leadership turmoil. The school is currently evaluating and developing its curriculum, with improvements already evident in outdoor education and links to further education.

Strengths

• The school uses “external expertise effectively” to evaluate its offer and guide improvements, including the appointment of the new headteacher.
• Pupils benefit from “positive links with a local high school” to gain GCSE accreditation and “exciting and motivational outdoor learning activities” such as climbing and kayaking.
• There is an “appropriate focus on developing pupils’ healthy eating and living habits,” with meals shared in a “caring family atmosphere.”
• All pupils who left the school previously sustained their college placements, demonstrating effective consideration of further education options.

Areas to improve

• The school must “complete the revision of the curriculum” as current changes are incomplete and require time to develop under new leadership.
• Teachers should ensure pupils have “regular opportunities across the curriculum to develop their ICT skills,” as current planning is inconsistent.
• The school needs to “update relevant education policies and procedures” to reflect revised practice and curriculum changes, such as increased use of Entry Level accreditation.

Safeguarding

The report states there is “no evidence to indicate that the school does not meet the regulatory requirements” for the welfare, health and safety of pupils.