Head teacher “incredibly proud” after Estyn report
Pupils, staff and governors at Ysgol Llanfyllin said they have welcomed a positive first report from Estyn – the national education inspectorate.
The all-age school provides Welsh and English-medium education on its campus in the heart of Llanfyllin, and following a thumbs-up from inspectors, head teacher, Dewi Owen, said: “I am incredibly proud of the achievements of the pupils and staff of our young school.”
The report highlighted that the safeguarding of pupils and staff is a real strength of the school.
Some of the highlights of the report include:
- Teachers and support staff foster positive working relationships with pupils.
- Pupils enjoy school and feel a part of ‘Teulu (family) Llanfyllin’.
- The school ethos of ‘dysgu gyda’n gilydd, tyfu gyda’n gilydd’, ‘together we learn; together we grow’ has successfully nurtured a community where most pupils feel supported and safe.
- The ALN team provide a range of valuable interventions to support those with the weakest literacy and numeracy skills and support staff intervene sensitively and effectively to facilitate learning in classroom activities.
- Nearly all pupils in the cyfnod cynradd are courteous and polite and show respect for teachers, peers and visitors. This is true of many pupils in the cyfnod uwchradd, as they follow instructions, listen to their peers, and allow others to contribute during group or paired discussions.
- Pupils in the sixth form feel very well supported by their teachers. They benefit from a wide range of opportunities available to them.
- Participation rates in extra-curricular activities are high, particularly in sports clubs. Pupils also have a sound understanding of how to make healthy choices.
- The ‘teulu’ (family) ethos of Ysgol Llanfyllin is central to all aspects of its well-being provision. Staff work collaboratively to establish a deep understanding of the well-being needs of pupils, particularly those who are most vulnerable and disadvantaged.
- The school values the opinions of pupils and facilitates the development of pupil leadership skills well.
- The school provides ample opportunities for pupils to develop their understanding of their social and emotional development through a range of age-appropriate programmes.
However, inspectors did identify some area to improve, stating: "Leadership has not had enough impact on the quality of teaching, particularly in the cyfnod uwchradd. Although leaders have a sound understanding of the main strengths and areas to improve in the school’s provision, they do not focus precisely enough on the impact of provision on pupils’ learning and behaviour in order to evaluate its impact."
They have issued four recommendations:
1. Address the shortcomings in teaching identified in this report to improve pupils’ learning and progress
2. Improve the planning for the progressive development of pupils’ skills
3. Refine self-evaluation processes to focus precisely on the impact of teaching on pupils’ progress
4. Ensure that staff implement behaviour strategies consistently
How the school has reacted:
Mr Graeme Hunter, Chair of Governors
“For a school that only amalgamated just over three years ago, the Estyn report is a welcome acknowledgment of all the work that has been accomplished. Estyn recognises the strengths of Ysgol Llanfyllin, in particular the strong safeguarding and wellbeing culture that is at the heart of the school. The recommendations that Estyn has given the school emphasises the school’s own understanding of the progress it has made and will continuing to make in preparing all learners for their own individual roles in society.”
Dewi Owen, Headteacher:
“This report strongly reflects our core values of care, support and safeguarding. Most importantly, Estyn have recognised that we are a happy school with ‘Teulu’ at its heart. The school is already acting on the areas of improvement that have been identified by Estyn and is actively strengthening the plans in these areas to meet the recommendations.”
The full report is available at https://www.estyn.gov.wales/provider/6665501.
PICTURE: By Phil Blagg Photography
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