The headteacher, teachers and support staff care for the pupils well. They focus clearly on developing pupils’ wellbeing diligently and conscientiously. Most pupils enjoy attending the school and they have positive working relationships with the staff and each other. As a result, nearly all pupils’ behaviour in classes and around the school is good. Teaching does not challenge pupils effectively to produce their best work consistently. As a result, many pupils’ writing, numeracy and information and communication technology (ICT) skills do not develop strongly enough. The planning of the curriculum is weak and does not support the effective progression of pupils’ skills. Many activities are too adult led and this limits opportunities for pupils to develop their wider skills and to become proficient independent learners. The relatively new leadership team has faced significant challenges in recent times, especially in relation to the staff’s working relationships. This has contributed to a lack of accountability among staff for the standards pupils achieve and the quality of education provided in their classes. The monitoring of teaching by leaders and managers is not rigorous or robust enough and there is a lack of clarity over roles, responsibilities and lines of accountability. Currently, leaders do not demonstrate the capacity to bring about the necessary improvements. 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 Abermorddu C.P. School November 2019 Recommendations R1 Improve leadership at all levels and promote effective collaboration among all staff R2 Improve the effectiveness of teaching across the school to challenge all pupils to perform consistently at their best R3 Ensure that teachers plan effectively and progressively to develop and raise standards in pupils’ literacy, numeracy and ICT skills in subject specific lessons and across the curriculum R4 Improve pupils’ extended writing skills R5 Improve pupils’ standards in mathematics R6 Improve pupils’ independent learning skills 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 draw up an action plan to show how it is going to address the recommendations. Estyn will monitor the school’s progress on a termly basis