YSGOL DYFFRYN CONWY

Overview

The report describes Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy as a “comprehensive, caring and Welsh” school where “pupil wellbeing is a strong element.” However, it states that “leaders do not have high enough expectations of what pupils are able to achieve,” resulting in standards and teaching that are judged as “Adequate and needs improvement.”

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate “Good” wellbeing and attitudes, with many enjoying school and showing “positive attitudes towards learning.”
• The school provides “valuable support for pupils with additional learning needs,” including effective interventions and tracking.
• There is a “supportive and productive relationship between teachers and pupils,” with many teachers acting as “good language models.”
• Pupils benefit from a “rich, full programme” of extra-curricular cultural and physical activities that enrich their experiences.
• The school works “effectively with a wide range of external agencies” to support pupil mental health and development.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must “improve standards, including literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology (ICT) skills.”
• The school should “raise teachers’ expectations of pupils’ use of the Welsh language” to limit frequent switching to English.
• Leaders need to “improve the quality, incisiveness and ambition of self-evaluation and planning for improvement processes.”

Safeguarding

The report states that “the school’s arrangements for safeguarding pupils meet requirements and are not a cause for concern.”