Ysgol Llansteffan is a happy and welcoming learning community that lays a firm foundation for pupils to develop their basic skills. Pupils are caring and considerate of each other, which contributes to the family atmosphere. Many pupils behave well and play together happily. They listen appropriately and show an increasing understanding of the Welsh language, although their oral skills have not been developed fully. In a short period of time, the headteacher has identified the federation’s strengths and has set purposeful procedures to address the areas for improvement, for example by training and supporting the assistant headteachers to act more strategically. The assistant headteachers across the federation work well together and promote a culture of sharing and emulating effective teaching and learning practices among staff to improve pupils’ experiences and skills. There is a close and supportive relationship between the school’s pupils and staff. Staff plan a beneficial range of interesting activities and question pupils effectively. The youngest pupils work well together while developing their skills appropriately. Staff take advantage of purposeful opportunities in the local area to develop pupils’ literacy, numeracy and digital skills. Many pupils make appropriate progress at the school from their starting points. However, teachers do not always plan systematically enough to provide regular opportunities for pupils to develop and apply their skills to the best of their ability. Across the school, staff also do not provide opportunities for pupils to develop their independent learning skills purposefully enough. Members of the governing body have an appropriate understanding of the federation’s strengths and areas for improvement. They are supportive of the pupils, staff and the local community and are active in striving to reduce the impact of poverty on learning experiences. However, members of the governing body do not participate fully in the self-evaluation process to monitor the effect of provision on pupils’ achievement thoroughly enough.