A Llanwrtyd Wells school is in need of “significant improvement” according to Estyn inspectors.

Ysgol Dôlafon had its inspection in November and will now draw up an action plan, before it is reassessed by Estyn, likely later this year.

Estyn found that the school is a caring learning community where staff encourage pupils to embrace its supportive and friendly ethos effectively.

The recently appointed executive headteacher was also praised for “effective, compassionate leadership.”

The inspectorate said: “Pupils treat each other, staff, and visitors with politeness and respect and, generally, they show appropriate attitudes to learning. Across the school, pupils’ behaviour is good, and they feel proud of their school and its community.”

“Overall, many pupils make at least suitable progress that is in their learning,” inspectors said.

Among other areas for improvement, Estyn found that the quality of teaching and teachers’ feedback is inconsistent.

The inspectorate made four recommendations to help the school continue to improve:

• Strengthen leadership at all levels to use self-evaluation processes effectively to recognise and realise the school’s priorities for improvement

• Ensure that the quality of teaching is consistent, and that staff make purposeful use of assessment information to plan provision to challenge and support pupils’ progress

• Provide an engaging and purposeful curriculum that develops pupils’ independence, mathematical and literacy skills progressively over time

• Ensure consistency in the quality and use of pupil feedback to support and provide pupils with meaningful opportunities to respond and improve their work

The school and its governing body will work with Powys County Council officers to identify the reasons for the inspection outcome and to deliver the improvements that are required. Staff, pupils and parents will be supported during this time.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: "We acknowledge Estyn’s assessment of Ysgol Dôlafon and the identified areas for improvement. This inspection report provides clear guidance on the necessary steps for improvement.

“We are pleased the report recognises that the new executive head had already begun a process of school improvement but has had insufficient time for this work to have had visible impacts.

"We will work closely with the school’s senior leaders to implement these changes as we embark on this improvement journey and address Estyn’s recommendations."

Jon Hather, Chair of Governors at Ysgol Dôlafon, said: “There are many positives that have been identified by Estyn during their inspection and these are in line with our identified priorities.

“We fully accept the recommendations that have been put forward by Estyn to make the necessary improvements. Governors are confident that the headteacher and the school staff will be able to fully embed the processes that have been place since September and deliver the school into a much stronger position.”

This follows news last month that Archdeacon Griffiths Church in Wales Primary School is also in need of “significant improvement” following their inspection, while Llangors Church in Wales Primary School was placed in special measures.

View the full reports at: www.estyn.gov.wales