The PRU is said to provide “exceptional care” and a “welcoming space”. The unit has reacted and adapted well to meet new and complex mental health issues amongst young people, which emerged during and following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some parents credited the PRU with helping their children overcome some significant life challenges.

The only recommendations were to improve tracking of skill development and to improve writing skills.

The leadership was described as “strong and successful”, with a focus on developing skills to enable pupils to reach their potential (particularly their problem-solving skills).

The support to pupils with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) was also praised, with staff having a good understanding of changes to the law and policies in Wales.

Staff had a clear understanding of what works and what doesn’t, meaning improvements are sustained. There’s also an emphasis on good attendance.

The only recommendations were to focus on improved writing and Welsh-speaking skills.

The school was praised for the close relationship between staff and families, with a support service in place to offer practical advice on matters such as housing and budgeting. The school also seeks grant funding to ensure pupils aren’t left out of things like school trips due to cost.

The school is described as “welcoming, fun and caring” and the headteacher is praised as a “firm and passionate leader” who “sets high expectations for herself and others”.

The only recommendations are to ensure teachers’ feedback helps pupils improve their work and that more able students are properly challenged. The Central South Consortium will help draft an action plan to address this, but a follow-up inspection isn’t needed.

Some of the strengths identified by Estyn include improvements to how the school communicates with parents, as well as professional development offered to staff on how to help them identify mental health problems.

Staff were said to set high expectations, meaning younger pupils are often able to improve their speaking and listening skills quickly.

There were quite a few recommendations. These relate to consistent management of poor behaviour, cutting persistent absence, offering continued professional development of staff and improving Welsh language skills amongst older children.

While no follow-up action is needed, BCBC will draft an action plan with the Central South Consortium.

The school was praised for how pupils develop their digital skills.

The “Dyfodol” service, aimed at pupils in Years 7-11 who find mainstream education difficult, is said to create a “safe and caring environment”. This helps pupils build their confidence and self-esteem, as well as their literacy and numeracy skills, in order for them to return to mainstream schooling.

Despite this, inspectors noted that the school needs to address safeguarding issues, improve attendance and improve teacher self-evaluation.

The safeguarding issue has since been addressed by no longer allowing Year 11 pupils to leave school during lunchtime.

Estyn praised the school’s “Book Week” initiative to encourage reading and English language skills.

The school’s IT programme was praised for not only focusing on practical digital skills, but also on social issues such as the advantages and disadvantages of social media.

The relationship between staff and pupils is described as very positive, while pupils are actively involved in improving the school. This includes delivering lessons to each other on wellbeing and acting as “subject ambassadors”.

The only recommendations were to improve attendance amongst pupils who receive free school meals and to make improvements to the curriculum in Year 9.

Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen – A previous inspection concluded that the school needed to do more to improve self-evaluation, provide a proper challenge to all pupils and improve pupils’ literacy, numeracy and Welsh language skills. Estyn were satisfied that the school had made enough progress to be removed from the list of schools requiring review.

Llangewydd Junior School – The previous inspection recommended improvements to school governance and leadership, how the school challenges more able pupils, how the school develops numeracy and IT skills, and how much of a say pupils have on the school.

Estyn were satisfied Llangewydd had made enough progress to be removed from the list of schools requiring review.

Interim inspections were also undertaken at Abercedin Primary School, Plasnewydd Primary School and Newton Primary School.