Welshpool High School put in special measures by Estyn
Powys County Council confirmed that senior education officers are working with staff after 'Estyn inspectors were of the opinion that special measures are required for the school'.
In their report Estyn inspectors criticised standards at Welshpool High School and said that 'the quality of teaching is too variable'.
Inspectors said: 'In half of lessons, shortcomings in teaching result in pupils not making the progress they are capable of.
'Teachers in these lessons often lack high expectations, provide insufficiently challenging activities, and fail to adapt their teaching to support pupils with weaker skills.
'Teachers, in general, do not provide enough opportunities for pupils to develop their Welsh language skills.
'Additionally, written feedback in a minority of cases lacks precision and does not effectively support improvement.'
Estyn also raised concerns about the standard of leadership at the school, how it relates to teaching standards and support for lower income families.
The report added: 'Despite leaders' commitment to raising the achievement of all pupils, over time leadership has had insufficient impact on important aspects such as the quality of teaching and skills development.
'Whilst whole-school attendance is slowly improving, the attendance of pupils eligible for free school meals in particular, is of concern.
'Senior leaders support the headteacher, but their work is not monitored or evaluated well enough.
'Furthermore, leadership responsibility is not evenly distributed and too often overlaps leading to unclear lines of accountability.'
Help support trusted local news
Sign up for a digital subscription now: www.countytimes.co.uk/subscribe
As a digital subscriber you will get
Unlimited access to the County Times website
Advert-light access
Reader rewards
Full access to our app
Powys County Council said that staff, pupils and parents will 'be fully supported during the improvement journey'.
Cllr Pete Roberts, Powys County Council's cabinet member for a learning Powys, said: "Today I share the disappointment that everyone associated with Welshpool High School is experiencing.
"This Estyn inspection report provides a clear and honest assessment of the challenges the school is facing and offers vital guidance on the steps needed to bring about meaningful improvement.
"We are committed to working closely with the school's senior leadership team to address these challenges. Together, we will focus on the recommendations outlined by Estyn, building on the school's existing strengths while tackling the areas that require urgent attention.
"This marks the beginning of a determined improvement journey for the school and its community."
Jeff Johnson, Chair of Governors at Welshpool High School, accepted the finding of the report and said: "While being disappointed by some of the content of the Estyn report we recognise this as an opportunity to continue our journey down a road of improvement.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
16 hours ago
- Powys County Times
25 Powys schools awarded for promoting Welsh language
25 schools across Powys have been recognised for promoting the Welsh language. The schools earned awards as part of the Siarter Iaith/Welsh Language Charter, a national scheme that encourages the use of Welsh at school, at home and in the community. The charter operates through a three-tier award system, bronze, silver, and gold, and recognises schools for building a 'strong Welsh ethos' Schools on this year's list have taken a range of steps, including daily Welsh assemblies, and incorporating Welsh as part of playground games, and community events. Councillor Pete Roberts, cabinet member for a learning Powys, said: "We are incredibly proud of the dedication shown by our schools in nurturing a love for the Welsh language. "These Siarter Iaith awards are a testament to the hard work of pupils, staff, and families who are helping to ensure that Cymraeg thrives in Powys. "We remain fully committed to supporting the Welsh Government's vision of reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050, and the success of our schools in this programme is a vital step toward that goal. "Llongyfarchiadau i bawb." Two Welsh-medium schools achieved the gold award: Ysgol Llanbrynmair and Ysgol Glantwymyn. Ysgol Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant earned the silver award. Siarter Iaith: Cymraeg Campus is a parallel programme tailored for English-medium schools. The following schools achieved their Siarter Iaith: Cymraeg Campus awards: Gold Award Penygloddfa C.P. School Carreghofa C.P. School Crickhowell School Arddleen C.P. School Radnor Valley C.P. School Ysgol Bro Tawe Llansantffraid Church in Wales School Silver Award Berriew C.P. School Ysgol Llanfyllin Rhayader Church in Wales Controlled School Ysgol Y Cribarth Franksbridge C.P. School Ysgol Meifod Llanfaes C.P. School Llanfechain Church in Wales School Treowen C.P. School St Mary's Catholic School Abermule C.P. School Sennybridge C.P. School Builth Wells C.P. School Bronze Award
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Free summer scheme returns to schools across Wales
The Food and Fun programme returns for the school holidays, offering children free activities and nutritious meals throughout the summer break. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the scheme, which first began as a pilot in Cardiff before expanding across Wales. Lynne Neagle, Wales' cabinet secretary for education, said: "The 'Food and Fun' School Holiday Enrichment Programme has helped tens of thousands of families over the last decade, providing free nutritious meals and enriching activities across the country. "I am very proud to mark this special anniversary by visiting the very successful and popular Pantside Primary Food and Fun scheme." The programme, now delivered in around 230 schools across all 22 Welsh local authorities, is fully funded by the Welsh Government and coordinated by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA). More than 14,000 places will be available each day during the holidays, with each scheme offering at least 12 days of support. Since its launch, the scheme has provided more than 800,000 free places for children. Each day includes a healthy breakfast and lunch, along with activities ranging from cookery and sports to music and den building. Schools invite families to sign up during the summer term, and each scheme hosts a weekly family meal to bring communities together. This year, the Welsh Government has allocated more than £5.8 million to the programme, including an additional £1 million in funding. To celebrate the 10-year milestone, Ms Neagle visited Pantside Primary School to take part in the scheme. During her visit, she joined a cooking session where children made fruit kebabs, played a game of cricket, and enjoyed a healthy lunch. Ms Neagle said: "The summer holidays can be a challenging time for families and 'Food and Fun' highlights the important role that schools play in supporting children, their families and the local community. "At the heart of this scheme is the dedicated local authority and education workforce, who have formed fantastic partnerships with a variety of organizations to deliver a diverse range of activities for young people to enjoy."
Western Telegraph
4 days ago
- Western Telegraph
Allen's View, Tenby celebrates 60th birthday and Keep Wales Tidy award
Allen's View, on Tenby's North Cliff, was bequeathed to the community by the late Miss Jessie Allen. It is now 60 years since Miss Allen made the generous gesture to enable the public to enjoy 'a paradise of tranquillity overlooking the busy town of Tenby and beyond'. The viewpoint's guardians, Tenby Civic Society, have now held a small ceremony to mark the 60th birthday of Allen's View – and also the area's achievement in receiving a Keep Wales Tidy green space award. Tenby Ciic Society vice-chair, Harry Gardiner and the mayor of Tenby, Cllr Dai Morgan, are pictured with the Green Flag awarded to Allen's View. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) Tenby Civic Society's vice-chairman, Harry Gardiner, said: 'It is fitting that in its 60th year of public access, Allen's View has met the wide environmental requirements of Keep Wales Tidy's Green Flag Community Award. "Allen's View is a hilltop woodland viewpoint, a short walk along the coast path north from Tenby and has views north and south from the hill crest by Bowman's Point. "Several paths lead through the mix of native and planted trees, bushes, plants and flowers in a variety of habitats. "Glades include benches, picnic tables, litter bins, substantial wood carvings of birds and two recent groups of Welsh apple trees. "Two groups of a dozen tall Monterey trees stand out on the skyline north of Tenby." Tenby's mayor, Dai Morgan, joined Tenby Civic Society's chair, Chris Osborne (left) vice-chair, Harry Gardiner (right) and members Neil Westerman, Tony Evans and Richard Reed for the celebrations. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) Tenby Civic Society manage the site, which was gifted in 1965 by Miss Jessie Allen, who then lived at the adjoining property, Clovers. Added Mr Gardiner: "Over 60 years, several generations of committee members and volunteers have maintained Allen's View. "The site has a quiet character that well suits access being only on foot for walkers along the coast path, maintaining its original dedication by Miss Allen 'for the quiet enjoyment of the public'. Keep Wales Tidy's Green Flag co-ordinator, Lucy Frisk, said: "We are thrilled to see a new record of 223 community managed green spaces in Wales have achieved Green Flag Status; testament to the dedication and hard work of hundreds of volunteers. "These sites play a vital role in the physical and mental well being of communities across Wales. ' A full list of award winners can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website, linked above.
