Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn

Overview

Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn is described as a “nurturing school with an inclusive ethos” where staff build “trusting relationships” with pupils. While many learners develop into “confident and happy learners” and make strong progress in social and emotional skills, the quality of teaching is inconsistent and literacy provision requires strengthening.

Strengths

• Staff “know their pupils well” and “generally adapt approaches skilfully” to meet individual needs.
• Pupils make “strong progress in developing their social and emotional skills” and become increasingly confident in expressing their needs.
• The inclusion team provides “high-quality training and support” in communication and behaviour, which is a “particularly strong feature”.
• There is a “very strong safeguarding culture” with comprehensive guidelines and clear staff responsibilities.
• The curriculum actively promotes the Welsh language and culture, including achieving the silver award of the Siarter Iaith.

Areas to improve

• Improve the “quality and the consistency of teaching” to ensure pupils are not passive or given uninspiring tasks.
• Improve “planning and the provision for pupils’ literacy skills,” as the ability to write at length is “underdeveloped.”
• Strengthen “arrangements for self-evaluation and improvement planning,” as the use of first-hand information is “underdeveloped.”

Safeguarding

The report states there is a “very strong safeguarding culture” with comprehensive procedures and that all staff know their responsibilities for keeping pupils safe.