One of the notable qualities of Ysgol Y Manod is its caring and homely feel. All staff contribute successfully to creating a respectful and inclusive ethos. They are willing to listen to pupils’ concerns and respond to them appropriately at all times. Most pupils, including those with additional learning needs (ALN), make sound progress from their starting points. Those who are latecomers to the Welsh language gain the confidence to communicate quickly and make sound progress with the language. Staff provide a rich range of learning experiences that inspire and expand the horizons of most pupils. Pupils show a clear appreciation of the culture and history of the local area, along with pride in their school. The school has a distinct Welsh ethos. The acting headteacher provides caring and purposeful leadership. He is supported firmly by staff and an intelligent governing body who have a clear overview of the school’s strengths and areas for improvement. On the whole, the school’s priorities derive from leaders’ suitable knowledge of their school. However, processes for evaluating, planning and implementing improvement are not clear and specific enough. Many pupils develop their skills robustly and their work is displayed and celebrated attractively around the school. However, progress in pupils’ reading skills is limited. This hinders their ability to gather information from different texts and their enjoyment of reading. Staff have a sound understanding of each pupil’s progress. Overall, teachers do not provide enough opportunities for pupils to respond to feedback independently to improve their work and assume more responsibility for their learning. Throughout the school, in most lessons, pupils are dedicated and build on previous learning successfully. Most are prepared to discuss their views maturely with their peers and contribute their ideas successfully. However, pupils are not always given regular enough opportunities to play a leading part in contributing to the wider life and work of the school.