Brynhafren Community Primary is a happy and inclusive school where pupils thrive. Pupils are proud of their school. They are positive and enthusiastic about their school experiences. The dedicated headteacher and staff work together effectively to ensure that the well-being of pupils is at the forefront of the school. It is a joyful and friendly community where a sense of being part of one big family permeates all aspects of the school’s work. The headteacher, staff and governors provide the school with strong leadership. They know the school well and effectively identify its strengths and areas for improvement. The headteacher works effectively with staff and governors to develop a collective responsibility for self-evaluation and school improvement. Over time, the school has successfully brought about improvements to teaching and learning, for example in improving standards in reading. However, teachers do not consistently use a range of assessment strategies well enough within lessons to enable pupils to reflect upon their learning and identify their next steps. The school provides a rich and well-planned curriculum with stimulating learning experiences that cater to individual pupil needs and incorporate pupils’ ideas and interests. As a result, nearly all pupils, including those with additional learning needs (ALN) make good progress. Many pupils are competent mathematicians, write maturely for a range of purposes and achieve high standards of oracy and reading. Many pupils have a strong awareness of the history, culture, and people of Wales (cynefin). However, pupils do not make sufficient progress in developing their Welsh speaking skills. Most teachers skilfully plan lessons that build upon pupils’ prior learning. Nearly all teachers successfully allow pupils to find their own solutions to obstacles in their learning. Consequently, pupils often demonstrate resilience and persevere to make progress when working in small groups or independently. Most teachers use the environment well and the younger pupils develop their interests and curiosity in the purposeful and exciting outdoor area. However, the provision for younger pupils to develop and practice skills within the classroom is under-developed. There is a strong culture of safeguarding at the school. The school’s warm and nurturing environment greatly supports pupils’ personal development. Staff know pupils well and develop strong working relationships with them. As a result, nearly all pupils behave impeccably and interact with each other in a caring and supportive way.