The report, carried out by Estyn in February, said: “Special measures are required in relation to this school.”
Estyn noted: “Although staff at Llantwit Major School care for their pupils, there are important shortcomings in many aspects of the school’s work.”
While highlighting the caring nature of the staff, the report found significant shortcomings in teaching quality, curriculum provision, and students’ behaviour and attitudes towards learning.
It added: “Pupils make suitable progress in only around half of lessons.
“In around half of lessons, poor teaching means that pupils make only limited progress.”
Concerns were also raised about the attendance rate, particularly among pupils eligible for free school meals.
Whilst the school provides a supportive environment, the report said that “pupils’ behaviour within and outside of lessons often disrupts learning.”
The inadequate curriculum provision was noted as another area needing significant improvement, particularly regarding the limited vocational subjects available to Year 10 and 11 students.
The senior leadership’s role was also questioned, with leaders described as not sufficiently held to account and lacking clarity on who handles specific aspects of school management.
The school also runs a deficit budget, which is expected to increase over the coming years.
A joint statement from Vale of Glamorgan Council and Llantwit Major School acknowledged the report’s findings, saying: “Some features of teaching at Llantwit Major School were commended by inspectors, but there were also a number of areas that required improvement.”
A comprehensive and robust improvement plan is now being developed jointly by the Council and the school to address the recommendations identified.
The statement said: “The Council and the school are fully committed to working together, alongside Estyn, to secure rapid and sustained improvements. Progress will be closely monitored, and appropriate support will be provided to ensure that all pupils receive the high-quality education they deserve.”
The aim is to improve safeguarding by introducing clear, formalised processes for long-term use of external provision, while leadership roles and responsibilities will be clarified, and a more rigorous performance management system put in place.
The school’s self-evaluation processes are to be refined, focusing more sharply on the impact of provision on students’ progress and wellbeing.
In a bid to bolster curriculum provision, the release says: “Work is underway to develop a clearer, more coherent curriculum that supports the progressive development of pupils’ knowledge and skills.”
There are plans to review the scope of qualifications on offer for upper school pupils, including vocational courses.
Concurrent with this, targeted actions will seek to improve attendance rates, reduce persistent absenteeism, and focus on improving behaviour across the school.
