Ty Bronllys School

Ty Bronllys has a creative and dedicated team of teaching, care and therapeutic professionals who are committed to supporting our pupils to become caring, thoughtful and active members of their community. Our primary aim is to offer a bright, welcoming and homely environment that promotes independence, individuality, confidence and self-esteem.

We place a strong emphasis on communication and social skills, as when children are empowered to communicate their needs and desires they can lay the foundations for making their way in the world when they leave us.

We believe the voice of the child should be heard, and we provide lots of opportunities for our pupils to contribute in all aspects of school life, through a Student Council, Eco Committee and Children’s United Nations Forum as well as a Young People’s Forum.

Children also enjoy a pioneering community-based work experience programme where they work at The Orb: a shop, café, laundry, office and kitchen located on the high street just a few miles away in Morriston. Children gain essential life and work skills, working in the shop, stocking the shelves, pricing stock, preparing snacks and drinks for friendly customers, and can gain accreditations for their work. We are proud to have been awarded the Careers Wales Quality Mark for our work-experience provision.

Many of our children appreciate routine and structure and so our Summer-break is just two weeks rather than six or seven.

At Ty Bronllys we provide stimulating and engaging learning environments that embrace individuality, inspire confidence and encourage children to learn through having fun. By focussing on the child and their strengths, personality, abilities and aspirations, as well as their specific needs, our pupils grow into happy and independent young people with confidence and a life that is both socially-valued and fulfilled.

We support children to be active and valued members of their community, through a therapeutic model of education and care that is underpinned by Positive Behaviour Support which ensures that positive behaviour and learning are celebrated, repeated and reinforced. As a result children associate coming to school with positivity and having fun.

We support pupils to develop skills that help them to progress both in education and in life, encouraging them to make positive choices and maintain their overall wellbeing.

Every child has an individual learning plan based on their level, ability and interests which is therefore stimulating, motivating and engaging. An experienced team of teaching specialists and therapists combine to nurture the child as a whole in a way that is consistent.

We also work closely with families, carers and professionals so that education is delivered with the pupil’s best interests at heart.

Our staff team is comprised of a Head of Education, a Deputy Head of Education, one general teacher, two Senior Learning Support Assistants and five Learning Support Assistants. The education team's training and qualifications are available on request.

Ty Bronllys was the very first Orbis service to open its doors, which it did in 2006.

It is flanked on all sides by spectacular surroundings, overlooking the Black Mountains, close to the village of Bronllys just 7 miles from Brecon. The home is built on the land of the former home of a doctor who worked at Bronllys Hospital. It is enclosed by hedgerows and includes several acres of fields, a wooded area, a play barn, park equipment and an allotment where children can develop a range of skills or simply enjoy being outdoors in the fresh air.

At the time Ty Bronllys opened it was recognised that very little specialist support existed for children with complex needs, and Ty Bronllys opened with the aim of providing education and care placements that are entirely bespoke, and that are designed around the child.

This was a departure from traditional models that expect children to learn entirely in a classroom environment, within set structures, in large classes and at the same pace as their peers. Equally, we have always emphasised that care is more effective when individuals are shown how to learn skills for themselves, as opposed to the traditional view that care is about doing things for people.

In 2006, the service opened with just one child but it quickly filled to capacity and is now comprised of a home for up to 10 children and a school for up to 13 pupils. Currently all of the children who live at Ty Bronllys also attend school, and we also have a number of children who attend in education only.

Ty Bronllys School is inspected by Estyn. In our latest full education inspection the quality of education was rated GOOD with our care, support and guidance rated as EXCELLENT.

Following our inspection in October 2018, Estyn published a case study about Ty Bronllys and the way in which our model works to reduce challenging behaviour and anxiety. This was also mentioned in the Chief Inspector's report. The case study can be read here.

In our latest monitoring inspection dated May 2022, Estyn stated:

'Tŷ Bronllys school provides a nurturing and caring environment that supports the complex needs of its pupils well. As a result, nearly all pupils develop their resilience
and improve their engagement in learning effectively during their time at the school.'

'Throughout the pandemic, education and care staff worked together effectively to enable the school to remain open, keep pupils safe and support their well-being and
learning.'

'Most pupils communicate well using non-verbal cues such as gesture and symbols, as well as key spoken words. They are particularly enthusiastic when making choices and expressing their preferences'

'The outdoor environment now includes specific learning zones such as a sensory activity area, school shop, nail bar and barbers. Together with the learning pods, the enhanced outdoor environment enables teaching staff to better support those pupils who find it hard to remain in the classroom.'

'The school has a strong record of making improvements to benefit pupils. Its improvement culture is inclusive, with all staff monitoring and evaluating specific areas of progress and identifying areas of improvement on a regular basis.'

Please see our list of policies opposite for Ty Bronllys school. Click the name to view the updated policy.

All pupils have individual education plans which reflect their needs and their statement / EHCP objectives. The plan ensures that learning is consistent for each child, building on their existing skills and with clearly stated learning objectives as they prepare for future pathways. These plans are shared with all stakeholders.

If pupils have additional language needs extra provision is provided as required.


For information regarding the particulars to the right, please contact:

Chairperson of the Board of Governors:

Lucy Pottinger, Director of Education

lucy.pottinger@orbis-group.co.uk

The following information is available on request:

• The school's academic performance
• Number of staff employed at the school
  (including temporary staff and a summary of their qualifications)
• Any formal complaints received (none were received during the academic year 2021-2022)
• Education and welfare provision for pupils with statements, and for pupils for whom English or Welsh is an additional language.

Proprietor:

Chief Operating Officer

Vision Court, Pentwyn Road, Cardiff, CF23 8HA

Tel: 029 2002 9922

Chair of Governors:

Lucy Pottinger, Director of Education

Vision Court, Pentwyn Road, Cardiff, CF23 8HA

Tel: 029 2002 9922

Head of Education and Designated Safeguarding Lead:

Danielle Coakley

Tel: 01874712353

Email: danielle.coakley@orbis-group.co.uk

Ty Bronllys

Ty Mynydd,

Bronllys,

Brecon

LD3 0LU