What is the STF?

The Specialist Teaching Facility (STF) at Pentrehafod provides a structured, calm and nurturing environment designed to meet the complex learning and communication needs of pupils who require highly personalised support. The STF delivers a bespoke curriculum, targeted interventions, and close collaboration with external specialist services including Speech and Language Therapy, CAMHS, and additional services to ensure pupils make strong progress academically, socially and emotionally. 

The school’s most recent Estyn report highlights the STF as a well‑established provision where staff provide high levels of support and guidance, leading to very strong progress in both learning and wellbeing. 

Who is it for?

The STF currently has 30 pupils on roll across five year groups and supports pupils with a range of Additional Learning Needs, with a primary focus on Social Communication with Speech and Language Difficulties (SLCN). Current pupils also present profiles including ASD, DLD, ESBA, ADHD, ODD, hearing and visual impairments, dyslexia, cerebral palsy, dyspraxia/DCD, and stammers. 

Where appropriate, pupils also attend mainstream classes in both KS3 and KS4. Many of our learners go on to great success at GCSE level. We are very fortunate to have a highly-skilled and experience staff team who can support learners with a range of needs. Our specialist team includes 4 teachers (3 FTE) and approximately 15 Teaching Assistants.  

Key Strengths

• Highly tailored curriculum based on individual assessment and reviewed regularly.  

• Integrated learning model combining small‑class specialist teaching with supported access to mainstream subjects.  

• Strong Speech & Language Therapy partnership, ensuring targeted communication programs aligned with assessment outcomes.  

• Broad provision of interventions, including communication, literacy, numeracy, wellbeing, and life‑skills development.  

• Nurturing pastoral programme encouraging involvement in extracurricular life. Many of our learners access extracurricular activities such as sports or comic book club. 

• Outstanding Estyn feedback, praising staff expertise, pupil progress, and inclusive practice.  

Admission Route

Admission to the Specialist Teaching Facility is not through school application. Placement is determined by the City and County of Swansea Special Educational Needs (ALN) Panel, who allocate places based on pupil assessments and identified learning needs.