Headlands School, Vale of Glamorgan

Headlands School is a school in Wales. Welsh schools are inspected by Estyn rather than Ofsted, and its latest report is published on Estyn's website.

Estyn's most recent full inspection report on Headlands School dates from 2022.

Estyn made 1 recommendation: (1) Evaluate the impact of pupil therapeutic intervention plans Progress in addressing recommendations from previous visit or inspection report Recommendation 1: Improve the consistency in the quality of teaching to ensure that all lessons match the best practice in the school Strong progress has been made towards meeting this recommendation across the school. The consistency and quality of teaching remain a priority for the school and are identified in the school improvement plan. The introduction of peer observations to share and improve practice as part of the scheduled lesson plan process is significantly supporting the continued consistency of high quality teaching at the school. Since 2019 there has been a focus on increasing and improving teaching strategies across the school. This has been well supported by a programme of professional development for staff. For example, nearly all of the teachers have completed the 10- day outstanding teaching programme, which was shared with staff across the school. Inset days have designated arrangements in place, which allow staff to lead sessions and share valuable information from recent professional development activities. This is contributing well to improving standards in teaching at the school. Teaching assistants (TAs) and Higher Level TAs (HLTAs) access an effective professional development programme to support gaining qualifications that develop their leadership and teaching skills, such as through the PCET qualification. Around half of the HLTAs undertake teaching qualifications and around half complete management and leadership training. The integrated therapeutic approach is highly beneficial and results in staff skilled in recognising and responding to pupil emotional and behavioural needs who can adapt their teaching and planned learning experiences well when necessary. As a result, there has been an overall reduction in the levels of high level pupil behaviour at the school, and increased pupil engagement. Recommendation 2: Improve pupil outcomes at the end of key stage 4 Since the last inspection, Headlands School has successfully increased the curriculum offer for pupils, introducing a wider range of accredited vocational qualifications alongside strengthening the core curriculum offer. As a result, pupils access qualification routes that are relevant and effectively support their post school.

Estyn follow-up status: The school does not require any follow-up activity by Estyn..

The nearest railway station is Penarth Rail Station, about 940 metres away (roughly a 12-minute walk).

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Headlands (after), 50 metres away.