Staff and pupils at Ysgol Ty Coch, Tonteg, are celebrating after receiving top marks in their Estyn inspection report.
The special school, which has 123 pupils aged from three to 19 is the first in Wales to receive an ‘excellent’ rating for both its performance and its prospects for improvement, in the report by Estyn, the Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales.
The report stated that Ysgol Ty Coch’s standards of achievements are excellent; the level of pupils’ understanding of skills is outstanding and learning experiences are well-matched to the learning needs of the pupils, who have very good opportunities to follow a wide range of vocational options.
Staff have access to a wide range of professional development, which is improving standards for groups of learners, said the report.
The school has ‘excellent’ prospects for improvement, said inspectors, because leaders have a very clear vision for the school which is shared by all staff and there is an exceptional culture of rigorous self-evaluation that leads to improved outcomes for all pupils.
There are high-quality and very effective assessment processes in place and staff performance is managed very carefully.
The school manages its resources well and provides excellent value for money, added the report.
Inspectors found that there are also very positive partnerships with further education and training agencies, which help pupils to choose the most appropriate option after leaving school. Links with Garth Olwg Lifelong Learning Centre and local retail outlets also promote well the pupils’ social development and their understanding of the world of work.
Pupils also have very good opportunities to develop and use their Welsh language skills and learn about Welsh culture, said the report. This was an area of excellent practice that Estyn invited the school to share with others.
Headteacher Heather Hodges said: “We are delighted with this inspection report. It is an accolade to the children and the staff who have worked so hard.
“We were given an ‘excellent’ for our standards and we were told we are the only school in Wales to achieve this.”
Cllr Eudine Hanagan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said: “I am very pleased that the hard work and commitment of everyone at Ysgol Ty Coch School has led to such a positive inspection report.
“I am sure that parents are delighted to know that their children’s education and well-being is in such safe hands.
“Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has recently announced far-reaching plans to improve literacy, attendance and attainment for future generations and supporting successful, inspirational schools such as Ysgol Ty Coch will be key to realising this ambition.”
Estyn will now invite the school to prepare written case studies, describing the outstanding practice identified during the inspection.
Ysgol Ty Coch is a residential special school for pupils with severe learning difficulties, multiple and complex learning difficulties and autistic spectrum disorders. Around half of the pupils also have associated medical difficulties.
The school is divided into primary and secondary departments and all pupils have a statement of special educational needs (SEN).
