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Powys County Times
22-07-2025
- 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
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Schools 'deeply concerned' with Powys sixth form plans
Two major schools in Powys have said they are 'deeply concerned' with council plans to close English medium sixth forms in the county. The governing bodies of Ysgol Llanfyllin and Welshpool High School have released a joint statement saying both schools 'neither the interests of our learners or our communities' will benefit from one of the proposed plans regarding the future of Powys sixth forms. Powys Council is undertaking a review of post-16 education in Powys under which one option would be to close all English-medium sixth forms in the county and replace them with two new large-scale colleges in Newtown and Brecon. Governors of the Welshpool and Llanfyllin schools, which make up 29 percent of Powys sixth form pupils, have requested that stakeholders challenge 'both the methodology and outcomes' of the review. The joint statement said: 'Both governing bodies are aware and fully support the review of post-16 education in Powys; however, for the review to have such a considered outcome and openly declared preferred option, before directly considering the needs of learners and communities in North Powys, is very much placing the cart before the horse. 'Both governing bodies feel unable to support the preferred option and encourage other north Powys stakeholders to consider a similar approach. 'Beyond simply leaving Welsh Medium provision to one of the smallest providers, there is no coherent plan to address the key reasons for the lack of a broad Welsh Medium, post-16 curriculum in north Powys. 'The plan makes no consideration of the ease of access and close proximity of several well established and stable post-16 providers, which are available to northern Powys pupils a short distance across the border. 'No consideration has been given to the risk of an increased migration of north Powys pupils across the border, which could reduce the size of Powys 6th Form by as much as a third. 'No consideration has been given to how a decline in pupil numbers—caused by post-16 students choosing to attend provision in Newtown or across the border—might affect the viability of existing schools in north Powys.' The statement also called for better engagement with the schools before any decision is made, asking the Council to engage 'in a meaningful way' with schools, their senior leaders and governing bodies. Ysgol Llanfyllin's Chair of Governers added: 'A 'town hall meeting', arranged after declaring a preferred option, is neither a credible nor meaningful consultation with key stakeholders.'
Powys County Times
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Powys shot put star Adele Nicoll secures another Welsh title
ADELE Nicoll topped the podium at the Welsh Senior Under-17 and Para Track and Field Championships in Cardiff last weekend. The former Welshpool High School student and Oswestry Olympian Athletics Club star surpassed the shot put qualifying distance for next year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as the two-time British champion added another title to her name with a best of 17.56m. Meanwhile Wales Commonwealth Games marathon runner and Great Britain international Dewi Griffiths won the scenic Hundred House 10K on Sunday. Griffiths claimed the win in 32:18 ahead of Sam Juson of Croft Ambrey RC in 33:36 while Eric Apperly of Builth and District Running Club was third in 37:11. Another Builth Running Club athlete, Donna Morris, won the women's race and finished eighth overall as she clocked 40:56.
Powys County Times
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Sixth form closure met with concern by Powys councillors
Proposals to close almost all the sixth forms in Powys has been met with concern by some councillors. It was revealed yesterday that Powys County Council will consider whether to close all of the English medium sixth forms in the county and replace them with two colleges. The proposal known as 'Combined option 3' is one of several options being explore by the council to reform sixth form education. County Councillors have told the County Times they have reservations about the proposals. Welshpool Councillor Graham Breeze who is also a governor at Welshpool High School said he was "particularly concerned that the document includes plans to close the school's sixth form" which is the "most successful in north Powys". "We can not shy away from the fact that Estyn is telling Powys County Council to shake up post-16 education across the county and that some action is needed but does the proposal go too far is the question we must find answers to," said Cllr Breeze. "My fear is that many pupils will turn their backs on Powys if this plan is accepted and seek their education over the border in Shropshire, particularly from Welshpool and Llanfyllin High Schools and as councillors we have a duty to see that does not happen." Reform Councillors were much more hostile to the plans and said "education must be a priority, not a budget line to be trimmed". Councillor Iain McIntosh, group leader of the party in Powys County Council, said: "These plans appear to prioritise cost-cutting over the quality and accessibility of education for our young people. 'Centralising English-medium sixth form provision to just two locations – Newtown and Brecon – will inevitably lead to significantly longer travel times for many students across Powys." This comes after Montgomeryshire's Labour MP, Steve Witherden, was highly critical of the plans and said the proposals would constitute 'downgrading public services'. Cllr Beverley Baynham, who is the joint leader of the independent group, the largest opposition group on the council was more positive about the idea only if it can guarantee choice for pupils. "Currently the sixth form provision is very unbalanced with some schools having a good curriculum choice with lots of students and others a more limited choice," said Cllr Baynham. "It differs greatly throughout the county. "If the aim of the Portfolio Holder is to provide a first-class sixth form provision with a wide choice of subjects, I cannot argue. "Many young people are choosing to go to colleges out of County as the offer is more favourable. "If Powys County Council can provide the same; or better offer, to attract students back from other colleges; this in my opinion can only be viewed as a positive. "However, how this is achieved needs to be carefully considered and I look forward to the results of the consultation before any decisions can be taken." 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 Plaid Cymru Councillor Elwyn Vaughan, who is also a governor as Ysgol Bro Hyddgen was largely in agreement with Cllr Baynham and said that sixth form education had been a problem in the county for over a decade and said 'doing nothing is not an option'. "We're all well aware of the numbers of young people that travel out of County to access their 16+ education, it is essential therefore that full consideration is given what option is best to alleviate such pressures and is accessible for most," said Cllr Vaughan.
BBC News
21-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
First postbox in Wales with King's cypher unveiled in Welshpool
The first postbox in Wales bearing King Charles III's cypher has been by a delivery office on Severn Street, in Welshpool, Powys, it was unveiled by pupils from Welshpool High School and Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Powys, Tony first letter was posted into the box by the children, who had been asked to write a letter to the King about what they did to look after the Mail's David Gold said: "Over 115,000 postboxes throughout the UK have borne the symbols of successive monarchs since the first box displayed Queen Victoria's cypher." The King's cypher consists of the initial of the monarch's name, Charles III, and title, Rex – Latin for King - beneath a Tudor crown. Postboxes were introduced across the UK in 1853 after a trial in the Channel first in the UK bearing the King's cypher was unveiled in July last year in Cambridgeshire.
