Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda

Overview

Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda is described as a "caring community" that prioritises pupil well-being and fosters "supportive working relationships" in lessons. While most pupils make "sound progress" in knowledge and skills, the report highlights significant concerns regarding attendance and the strategic prioritisation of improvements by leaders.

Strengths

• The pastoral team provides "comprehensive and valuable support," and safeguarding arrangements are "implemented appropriately."
• Most teachers create a "purposeful and positive learning environment," offering clear instructions and useful verbal feedback.
• Pupils develop digital and literacy skills successfully, with the provision of ‘Cwtsh y Cwm’ noted as a "notable strength."
• The innovative personal and social education programme and the school’s Senedd offer beneficial opportunities for pupils to influence school life.
• Sixth-form pupils generally make "good progress," showing "very positive attitudes" and contributing maturely to discussions.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must act more strategically to prioritise improvements, particularly regarding teaching skills and attendance, which currently lack "sufficiently specific and incisive attention."
• Teachers need to raise expectations and question pupils more "probingly" to encourage deeper thinking, as some pupils do not make enough progress in a minority of lessons.
• Specific attention is required to improve pupils’ numeracy skills, as they "do not make enough progress over time" in this area.

Safeguarding

The report states that the school’s arrangements for keeping pupils safe are "implemented appropriately."