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Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- General
- Powys County Times
Welshpool High School put in special measures by Estyn
Welshpool High School has been put in special measures after its most recent inspection 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: 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.
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- General
- Powys County Times
Powys school praised for environmental achievements
A Powys secondary school has been praised for its environmental achievements after winning a national award. Gwernyfed High School in Powys scooped the Revive Our Oceans category at the 2025 Climate Challenge Cymru Awards for its efforts to protect marine life and raise awareness about ocean conservation. Councillor Pete Roberts, Powys County Council's cabinet member for a learning Powys, said: "This is a remarkable achievement for Gwernyfed High School and a shining example of the power of youth-led climate action. "The Eco-Club's passion, creativity and teamwork are truly inspiring. "We are incredibly proud of their success and the positive message it sends to schools across Powys. "Credit must also go to the wider school community for nurturing a strong culture of environmental responsibility. "This award reflects not only the pupils' dedication but also the school's commitment to empowering young people to lead the way in tackling the climate and nature emergencies." The awards, held in Cardiff celebrated schools across Wales. Gwernyfed's entry was one of hundreds submitted and secured the Eco-Club a place in the national final. Members of the Eco-Club said taking part left a 'lasting impression'. Megan, a pupil, said: "We really enjoyed the competition, creating the video and the poster. "This competition has inspired us to do even more to help our school environment, and seeing what other schools have done has given us lots of ideas. "We are really happy to have had this opportunity." Fleur, another club member, said: "A completely unforgettable experience. "The hard work, and fun, leading up to the competition was amazing. "The event was utterly inspiring. "I found it interesting to see new ideas and meet like-minded people who care for our environment." Sorcha added: "Entering the Climate Change Cymru competition wasn't about winning, but looking at how we can help our environment. "Winning was an amazing outcome for us. "It was nice to get the recognition for what we are trying to achieve and reassured us we are making a difference." The team impressed judges with their practical solutions to reduce ocean pollution and promote marine conservation. They were presented with a trophy and certificate by Future Generations Commissioner Derek Walker in front of an audience of peers, educators, and environmental leaders. Sian Jenkins, interim headteacher at Gwernyfed High School, said: "We are really proud of our creative, innovative, and amazing Eco-Club pupils at Gwernyfed High School. "Their passion for protecting our oceans is truly inspiring. "Together, we can work collaboratively to secure a brighter future for our planet and make a positive impact on the environment. "We celebrate our students' achievements and look forward to their continued dedication." Climate Challenge Cymru is a national competition for schools in Wales, encouraging pupils to develop solutions to environmental issues through short video submissions. It is delivered by Keep Wales Tidy's Eco-Schools Wales team, in partnership with the Welsh Government.
Powys County Times
09-07-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Llandinam Primary School could close under Powys plans
A Powys primary school could be set for closure after an announcement by the council. Powys County Council is proposing to close Llandinam C.P. School, which currently has 33 pupils. Plans to consult with the public on closing the primary school will be considered by Cabinet later this month. On Tuesday (July 15) Cabinet will consider the plans and will be asked to start the statutory process, which could see the school close from the end of the next school year on August 31 2026. Should the school close, pupils would 'need to transfer to other schools within the wider catchment area'. If Cabinet approve the recommendation to start the statutory process, it is anticipated that consultation will start in September. Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: 'We are committed to securing the best possible start for our learners and we believe that our Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys will achieve this. 'As part of the strategy, we need to address the high proportion of small schools in the county, decreasing pupil numbers and the high number of surplus places. 'The historic and projected pupil numbers for Llandinam C.P. School suggest that the school will remain one of the smallest schools in the county for the foreseeable future. 'It is currently ranked the third highest school in Powys by budget share per pupil – £7,424 per pupil compared to the Powys average of £5,214." Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app The school has already been spared closure once, after a backlash against a previous set of plans in 2013. But Cllr Roberts said that the small class sizes were causing complications to the education of the children as the school. He added: 'The small pupil numbers at the school mean that pupils are taught in whole key stage classes with foundation pupils in one class and older pupils in another. 'As pupil numbers in each year group are very small, it is more challenging to meet the needs of all pupils, and the opportunities for pupils to work with pupils of similar age and ability are more limited. 'The proposal before Cabinet in respect of Llandinam C.P. School has not been reached lightly and has been reached following a light touch review of the wider catchment but we believe that it is needed to address the low numbers at the school and reduce the council's overall surplus capacity in primary schools. 'It will also ensure that pupils are taught in classes with peers of similar ages and attend a larger school which could provide a wider range of educational and extra-curricular activities.'
Powys County Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Brecon High School awarded School of Sanctuary status
A South Powys high school has become the first in the county to be awarded School of Sanctuary status. Brecon High School has been given the title in recognition of its efforts to welcome people seeking sanctuary, including refugees and asylum seekers. Councillor Pete Roberts, Powys County Council's cabinet member for a learning Powys, said: "We are incredibly proud of Brecon High School for leading the way in Powys. "This award is a powerful reflection of the school's dedication to compassion, inclusion, and community. "It sets a shining example for other schools in the county and shows what can be achieved when we work together to create safe and welcoming spaces for all learners." The school have carried out a number of activities to embed the ethos behind Schools of Sanctuary. Pupils in stages learn about migration and the history of refugees, as well as attend talks and take part in workshops. Students have raised funds for a refugee charity in the area, and a charity supporting Ukraine. The School of Sanctuary Award is part of a national movement, with more than 600 schools across the UK now recognised for their efforts in supporting sanctuary seekers. The School of Sanctuary Award is part of a growing national movement, with more than 600 schools across the UK having now been granted the award.
Powys County Times
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Powys school pupils take part in National Music Plan
Thousands of pupils are picking up instruments and finding their voices through a national music programme. Powys is among the regions seeing a surge in musical engagement thanks to the National Music Plan for Education in Wales, a Welsh Government initiative aimed at providing high-quality musical experiences to all children and young people. In the current academic year, nearly 1,500 primary pupils in Powys have taken part in eight-week 'First Experience' sessions led by professional musicians. These sessions introduced pupils to a variety of instruments, including the ukulele, pbuzz, violin, cello, toots, and voice. Cllr Pete Roberts, Powys County Council's cabinet member for a learning Powys, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to see the positive impact the National Music Plan is having across Powys. "It's so important to recognise the valued hard work, dedication, and commitment of our music tutors and charities, who have worked tirelessly for years to bring music into the lives of children. "This is about more than just music – it's about confidence, creativity, and community." In addition to the First Experience sessions, more than 600 pupils have taken part in funded taster sessions using instruments provided by the National Music Service for Wales' Instrument Repository. Since September 2024, nearly 8,000 pupils have attended live music events at schools, community spaces, and music venues. The National Music Plan has also supported the creation of lunchtime and after-school music clubs across Powys. Pupils have joined brass ensembles, ukulele and guitar groups, male voice choirs, string groups, recorder ensembles, and piano choirs. The Welsh Government recently confirmed three more years of funding for the plan. This will allow the council to expand First Experience sessions to all primary schools in Powys and increase ensemble opportunities for young musicians. The council also plans to strengthen its work with Music Ambassadors in high schools to ensure pupil voices help shape future projects. Cllr Roberts said the programme is helping to keep Wales' musical heritage alive. He said: "Crucially, the National Music Plan will also play a vital role in ensuring that traditional Welsh music continues to thrive.
