Nick Smith MP was given a warm welcome as he visited a borough school looking to give children with communication needs the best start in life.

The Blaenau Gwent MP popped in to Pen-Y-Cwm Special School in Ebbw Vale to talk to the children and hear about the work the school is doing to help those with speech and language difficulties.

The visit came about after Nick used his Prime Ministers’ Question in Parliament to call on the Government to commit to a cross-Government strategy that puts this issue at the heart of policy.

Along with talking to teachers and pupils, Nick also got to see facilities such as the school’s swimming pool area and rebound room, where part of the flooring has been installed with a sunken trampoline.

He also visited the art studio, where the children had been inspired by Nathan Wyburn’s Tommy Cooper toast portrait to make their own food portrait of the comedian.

Pen-Y-Cwm’s last Estyn inspection saw them receive a good rating across the board, with the school being singled out for their staff, leaders and management having a strong commitment to school improvement and high quality learning experiences.

Speaking after the visit, Nick said the school was doing a wonderful job in giving as many children as possible some very happy school years.

“Each child is so different here, with so many specialist demands and needs, but it’s a testament to the kindness and dedication of the team here that they’re loving Pen-Y-Cwm”, he said.

“We should all be proud of this school in Blaenau Gwent. The move to the new campus has given them a fantastic space to work with, and all the smiling faces I saw in the classrooms and corridors were proof this is a special place.”