Ysgol Y Borth

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Ysgol y Borth provides a happy, inclusive and homely environment where all pupils are respected and develop as well-rounded and responsible individuals. Across the school, pupils are extremely caring towards each other, treat adults with respect and demonstrate excellent behaviour. A distinct Welsh feel permeates the school and staff plan valuable opportunities for pupils to develop as proud citizens who are knowledgeable about their local area and their national heritage.

One of the school's most prominent qualities is the way in which staff take care of pupils' health and well-being, ensuring a well-rounded education for them with great success. The very supportive working relationship between adults and pupils builds confidence ...and empowers pupils' positive attitudes to learning successfully. As a result, they persevere well with their tasks and enjoy learning.

Over time, most pupils make strong progress in a wide range of skills from their various starting points, particularly in their digital skills. Staff identify pupils' needs well and work together effectively to plan broad and interesting learning experiences for them. Provision to support pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) is robust.

Overall, across the school, over-use of ready-made worksheets slows pupils' progress in fostering their writing skills further across the areas of learning, particularly those who are more able. An excellent feature of the school's work is the way in which staff plan valuable opportunities for pupils to foster their entrepreneurial skills successfully through a valuable range of interesting experiences, which also promote the importance of sustainability skilfully. Pupils' welcome leadership roles, undertake numerous responsibilities and influence the school's life and work regularly.

An obvious strength in provision is the way in which staff use the building and extensive outdoor areas to create a stimulating learning environment for pupils. They provide a rich curriculum that includes the pupil's voice regularly about what they would like to learn. However, at times, opportunities for pupils to make independent decisions about how to complete and present their work are inconsistent.

The headteacher provides caring leadership and is completely dedicated to the school. He is supported skilfully by a dedicated governing body that has a sound understanding of the school's strengths and areas for improvement. The parent teacher association is active and contributes regularly to enriching provision, for example by investing purposefully in specialist digital equipment to nurture pupils' inquiry skills.

Recommendations R1 Reduce the use of ready-made worksheets to enable pupils to develop their writing skills further, particularly those who are more able R2 Expand opportunities for pupils to make independent choices about how they complete tasks and present their work