Ysgol y Gogarth is a day and residential special school situated in the coastal town of Llandudno. It is the only special school maintained by Conwy local authority. Currently there are 223 pupils on roll aged from 3 to 19. All pupils have a statement of special educational needs for moderate and severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning difficulties or autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). Most pupils come from the Conwy local authority area and a very few come from neighbouring local authorities. Nearly all of the pupils are from English-speaking backgrounds. Around 38% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. A few pupils are looked after by the local authority. The school manages a residential facility that offers short-term placements for pupils who attend the school. The school also provides a base for a number of other key services, including the children with disabilities social work team, the ASD outreach team, the sensory support service and child development centre for Conwy. Since the last inspection, the school’s site and buildings have been significantly redeveloped as part of the Welsh Government’s 21st century schools programme. Ysgol y Gogarth is currently a pioneer school and is working with the Welsh Government and other schools to take forward developments relating to the curriculum. The headteacher has been in post since September 2009. The school was last inspected in June 2011. 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 Y Gogarth October 2017 Summary Pupils at Ysgol y Gogarth respond very positively to the school’s highly effective strategies to support the development of their communication and independence skills. As a result, nearly all pupils make very strong progress over time in relation to their individual needs and abilities. Nearly all pupils are polite, courteous and respectful to each other, to staff and to visitors. The school’s curriculum meets the needs of pupils particularly well. The extensive range of learning experiences promotes very effectively the development of pupils’ ability and maturity as they progress through the school. Teachers, teaching assistants and specialist staff work together outstandingly well to identify pupils’ individual needs and ensure that lessons build systematically on their abilities and interests. The school works very successfully with parents and partners to ensure it provides stimulating opportunities for pupils to develop skills that prepare them very effectively for future life. The headteacher and senior leadership team demonstrate outstanding leadership. They have developed a coherent strategic vision for the school that places the most important needs of pupils at the heart of all aspects of the school’s work. Inspection area Judgement Standards Excellent Wellbeing and attitudes to learning Excellent Teaching and learning experiences Excellent Care, support and guidance Excellent Leadership and management Excellent 2 A report on Ysgol Y Gogarth October 2017 Recommendations R1 Improve the quality of teaching so that all lessons match the best practice in the school What happens next The school will draw up an action plan to address the recommendations from the inspection. Estyn will invite the school to prepare two case studies for dissemination on Estyn’s website on the school’s work in relation to how its positive behaviour strategies enable pupils to access the curriculum successfully, and how the school’s successful collaboration with the local further education college ensures consistent challenge and progression for pupils leaving the school.