Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw is a designated Welsh-medium school for boys and girls between 11 and 18 years old, and is maintained by Torfaen local authority. There are currently 837 pupils on roll, including 123 in the sixth form, which is slightly lower than the 989 pupils at the time of the last inspection. The school serves a wide catchment area and provides Welsh-medium education for pupils from neighbouring local authorities. Most pupils come from white ethnic backgrounds. Around 6% of pupils come from Welsh-speaking homes. However, as pupils are educated through the medium of Welsh in primary school, nearly all speak Welsh fluently by the time they arrive at secondary school. Thirteen point one per cent (13.1%) of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is lower than the Welsh average of 16.4%. Twenty three point three per cent (23.3%) of pupils are on the school’s additional learning needs register. This figure is similar to the national average (22.9%). One point four per cent (1.4%) of pupils have a statement of special educational needs, which is lower than the national figure (2.2%). The headteacher was appointed to the post in September 2017. The senior management team has been reorganised recently. It now includes the headteacher, one deputy headteacher, two assistant headteachers and two associate assistant headteachers. Further information is available from the Welsh Government My Local School website at the link below. http://mylocalschool.wales.gov.uk/Schools/SchoolSearch?lang=en 1 A report on Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw April 2019 Summary Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw is a close-knit community that provides suitable care and support for its pupils. Overall, the supportive ethos ensures that many pupils attend regularly and feel safe at the school. Over the last four years, the school’s leaders, including the governing body, have not shown the ability to ensure the necessary improvement. They have not provided clear enough guidance to staff on how to maintain or raise standards, or ensure teaching of a consistently good quality. The school does not self-evaluate accurately or rigorously. This includes analysing performance data and evaluating standards of learning and the quality of teaching. Shortcomings in many teachers’ planning mean that pupils, on the whole, do not make enough progress in their lessons. Teachers do not have high enough expectations of what pupils can achieve. The school does not plan carefully enough to develop pupils’ skills, particularly literacy. There are very few opportunities for pupils to develop their numeracy skills in relevant subjects other than mathematics. Opportunities for pupils to develop their ICT skills are limited across subjects. Inspection area Judgement Standards Unsatisfactory and needs urgent improvement Wellbeing and attitudes to learning Adequate and needs improvement Teaching and learning experiences Unsatisfactory and needs urgent improvement Care, support and guidance Adequate and needs improvement Leadership and management Unsatisfactory and needs urgent improvement 2 A report on Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw April 2019 Recommendations R1 Improve standards, particularly the standards of boys and more able pupils R2 Improve the quality of teaching and assessment R3 Improve provision to develop pupils’ skills in literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology (ICT) R4 Improve the quality and effect of leadership at all levels R5 Improve the rigour and effectiveness of quality improvement processes What happens next In accordance with the Education Act 2005, HMCI is of the opinion that special measures are required in relation to this school. The school will produce an action plan to address the recommendations from the inspection. Estyn will monitor the school’s progress every term.