The River Centre 3-16 Learning Community
Catchment Area, Reviews and Key Information

Secondary
Special school
PUPILS
42
AGES
3 - 16
GENDER
Not Available
TYPE
Special

How Does The School Perform?

Full Report
NATIONAL AVG. 2.18
Estyn Report
(01/06/2022)
Full Report - All Reports

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Not applicable
Language of the school
MORE INFO
Pontygof
Ebbw Vale
Blaenau Gwent
NP23 6EH
01495 357714

School Description

The River Centre 3-16 Learning Community was established following the closure of the local authority PRU. Based on two main campuses, the school largely operates as separate entities. The result is that there are significant differences in systems, procedures, and processes between sites. The school does not operate as a cohesive organisation. The systematic collection, collation and analysis of key school performance information is extremely underdeveloped. This seriously impedes the ability of leaders to both report to, and be held accountable by, the governing body. Pupils that attend the school have faced significant challenges in mainstream settings. Overall, the progress that pupils make in their learning and well‑being is stronger for pupils that attend the primary campus and Tŷ Afon, than for those that attend the secondary campus. The positive aspects of provision that are found on the primary campus and Tŷ Afon are generally not found on the secondary campus. For example, the curriculum on the secondary campus is not sufficiently broad or balanced and does not prepare pupils well enough for their next stage of life and learning. In addition, the quality of the learning environment, including the culture, varies considerably across the campuses. Over the past 18 months, there have been significant and wholesale changes to governance, leadership and staffing and these have had a detrimental impact on the learning experiences, well‑being and outcomes for pupils. Staff too have been affected by these changes but generally remain committed to the pupils. Pupils at the secondary campus experienced significant disruption to their education during the spring term of 2022. Senior leaders at the time determined that for health and safety reasons pupils should not attend the school and arrangements were made for them to attend alternative providers. Overall, attendance at these providers was low. Year 11 pupils missed a crucial part of their education whilst preparing to sit examinations. This is a significant cause for concern. Overall, the school has failed to provide an acceptable standard of education for some of the most vulnerable pupils in Wales.

The River Centre 3-16 Learning Community Parent Reviews



Average Parent Rating


“The New Standard of Excellence in Special Schools”


My Son attends this school. I have never seen a school who is in tune with each child's individual needs as this one. They talk to parents as a peer, no judgement. It's team work all the way here, both from home and school. All of the staff excel at what they do, from the Head teacher down to the teaching assistants. Watch this school, they may be new but they are setting a high standard!
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The River Centre 3-16 Learning Community Catchment Area Map

Official pupil census data is not available for this school and we are unable to offer a heat map or likelihood of admission tool at this time.