Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr

Special Education Needs

Plasmawr is a mainstream school working in Welsh to provide a full education for pupils in the West of Cardiff. We provide the full range of experiences for pupils with Moderate Learning Difficulties, Specific Learning Difficulties, Visual Impairment and Hearing Impairment. The school provides specialist support for VI and HI pupils in a mainstream setting. The Assistant Headteacher responsible for SEN policy implementation in the school is holder of the Wales and UK Teaching Award for Excellence in SEN. She is ably supported by 9 Learning Support Assistants and a strong pastoral structure. The school has established itself as a beacon of excellence in Wales and beyond and provides training for SEN staff from across Wales. It has become known as a good model of an inclusive community where the entire staff is committed to ensuring that additional needs are met as fully as possible in mainstream classes. In addition to this, SEN pupils at the school are fully included in the range of extra curricular activities which characterise the school: choirs, drama, musical shows, jazz groups, rowing, canoeing, mountain climbing, etc. In Music and Drama the school has won many national awards for ensemble and solo work. The school also competes extensively in literary and creative competitions, having won many awards for its gifted and talented pupils and pupils with additional needs. The Inspection Summary Estyn, February 2004)reads as follows: 'This is a very good school. There are clear strengths in the standards achieved and the class teaching. The school is very well led. The support and guidance provided for the pupils and students are also very good. The school is a civilised, caring, congenial and inclusive community. With a few exceptions, pupil behaviour is very good.'