A SCHOOL in Caernarfon for children with special educational needs was told it requires “significant improvement” following an Estyn inspection.

Ysgol Pendalar, which has 113 pupils aged three to 19, was handed five recommendations by the education inspectorate after its visit in October.

In its inspection report, published last week, Estyn wrote that there is a “lack of opportunities for pupils to develop their independent living skills” at the school.

It also described the teaching quality across Ysgol Pendalar as “not consistent”, with learning experiences and tasks deemed “not challenging enough” overall.

Estyn added that the school presents “a lack of opportunities for pupils to develop their independent living skills”, meanwhile.

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The report added: “When they are given an opportunity to do so, pupils work beneficially in pairs and small groups.

“However, due to limited opportunities for pupils to collaborate independently of the teacher in the classroom and at other times, they do not make as much progress as they could in their co-operation skills.

“A majority of pupils do not have regular enough opportunities to enjoy each other’s company and develop an understanding of belonging to the whole-school family in collective situations as members of clubs, in assemblies to celebrate success and fun whole-school activities.”

“Teachers and teaching assistants have a positive relationship with pupils and manage pupils’ behaviour effectively, in general.

“However, at times, the behaviour of a very few pupils disrupts the learning of others.”

Despite these criticisms being raised of the school, Estyn also described Ysgol Pendalar as a “close-knit and friendly community where staff and pupils work together happily and positively”.

Estyn also praised the school’s “clear vision that is shared by all staff”, as well as its “dedicated and hard-working” staff.

It added: “Most pupils enjoy school and say that they feel safe there. They are friendly and courteous towards staff and visitors.

“On the whole, most pupils comply with teachers’ requests and settle quickly to activities and tasks.

“Many behave well in the classroom, listen carefully to staff and behave respectfully towards their fellow pupils. They engage well with their learning and work easily with teachers and support staff.”

Estyn’s five recommendations for Ysgol Pendalar were as follows:

  • Strengthen strategic leadership at all levels and ensure that responsibilities are defined clearly and allocated in a balanced manner.
  • Strengthen self-evaluation and planning for improvement procedures.
  • Strengthen teaching and planning to develop pupils’ increasing skills systematically.
  • Ensure robust opportunities for pupils to develop independent living skills and move forward to the next stage of their lives.
  • Strengthen the role of the governing body so that their understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for improvement enable them to act effectively as critical friends.