Specialist Teaching Facility (STF)

Lead Teacher: Mrs R. Rees

Our Specialist Teaching Facility (STF) caters for students with additional learning needs, primarily, specific speech, language, and communication needs. Admission to the STF is determined by the recommendation of the City and County of Swansea Special Educational Needs Panel.

Our staff create a positive, nurturing environment where students are encouraged to meet their potential through a blend of mainstream classes and smaller, specialist lessons to help with individual needs. Each student follows a curriculum tailored to his or her needs; this is regularly reviewed.

We aim to see our students develop into happy, confident young people. We provide a holistic programme of support by including structured teaching sessions in communication, life, and social skills. Our curriculum prepares pupils for greater independence in their adult lives.

Within the STF, we passionately believe in the benefits of partnership working and adopt a multi-agency approach wherever possible to ensure pupils and their families are fully supported.

The STF has a very strong pastoral programme which encourages the children to become actively involved in extra-curricular activities. This allows them to develop individual talents and participate fully in the life of the school. In addition, all staff work hard to keep parents and carers informed about the progress of their child. We welcome contributions to ensure continuity in the approach between school and home.

Staff and pupils in the STF were particularly proud to read the following information in the most recent Estyn Report (December 2019):

‘The school hosts a well-established specialist teaching facility for pupils with speech, communication and language difficulties. Where appropriate, pupils learn alongside their mainstream peers. Staff in the facility know their pupils very well and provide high levels of support and guidance that are well matched to the needs of pupils. As a result, pupils make very strong progress in both their learning and wellbeing.’

‘Staff in the school’s specialist teaching facility make a notable impact on the progress of pupils in their care.’

‘In particular, pupils in the school’s specialist teaching facility make very strong progress.’