Ysgol G.G. Castell Nedd

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Since being appointed, the acting headteacher of Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Castell nedd has worked diligently with leaders to identify the school's strengths and areas for improvement. Teachers and assistants work together effectively to provide an inclusive and supportive learning environment for pupils.

They know the pupils well and develop a caring and safe working relationship as they support them to learn. Leaders set high expectations of the staff and support them to develop their skills appropriately through purposeful professional learning opportunities. They are aware of the importance of caring for the wellbeing of staff and pupils.

Teachers and assistants work well together to ensure that pupils are ready to learn. ...The care and guidance provided to pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) is a strength. Teachers have good knowledge of pupils' interests and they use this information appropriately to provide a range of interesting and exciting activities that engage most pupils' enthusiasm.

However, learning activities do not always challenge pupils effectively enough to develop their skills suitably in a rich range of activities. In the youngest pupils' classes, staff work well together to provide an effective learning environment that inspires them to investigate and discover independently. As pupils move through the school, a few teachers over-direct learning, which limits pupils in terms of making decisions about what to present in their work and how.

Many pupils have positive attitudes to their learning. They communicate in Welsh with increasing confidence and have pride in their local area. Most pupils behave respectfully and work well together.

Overall, they enjoy using their skills to be enthusiastic and creative learners, for example in digital, art and expressive arts activities. Although pupils' literacy and numeracy skills develop consistently, provision does not support a majority of pupils to develop and apply these skills effectively enough. They develop good physical skills regularly across the curriculum.

Recommendations R1 Improve pupils' writing and numeracy skills R2 Provide activities that ensure a consistent challenge for pupils to achieve to the best of their ability