A Welsh school has been put under special measures following a critical report. Inspectors will now monitor the progress of Ysgol y Grango in Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham, after the inspection in November last year.
Head teacher Victoria Brown highlighted several positive aspects at the school "to celebrate" and assured that a plan was in place to address the inspectors' concerns, aiming for "lasting improvements that will benefit all our students."
An Estyn inspection report summary for parents and carers noted that the school offered pupils "a nurturing and inclusive community, where staff prioritised their wellbeing and fostered a caring and supportive environment". Since her appointment, the headteacher has strengthened relationships with parents and focused on ensuring a secure environment for pupils. As a result, many pupils feel safe and free from bullying." Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here
However, the report also stated: "However, leadership at all levels, has not had a strong enough impact on improving teaching and learning. In most cases, there are positive relationships between teachers and pupils although in a very few lessons, teachers do not manage pupils' behaviour well enough. In a majority of cases, teachers use routines to help pupils settle quickly and show enthusiasm for their subjects.
"In a few lessons, strong teaching encourages pupils to think more deeply and make good progress. However, in the majority of cases, poor planning and low expectations mean that pupils do not make enough progress, often due to tasks that lack challenge and fail to capture their interest."
The report highlighted that the school-wide approach to enhancing pupils' literacy and numeracy skills was "not strategic nor coordinated well enough", resulting in insufficient progress in these areas, reports North Wales Live.
Pupils in Years 10 and 11 had a reasonably broad selection of subjects, including vocational options. There was also an appropriate variety of extra-curricular activities to enrich pupils' learning experiences, but opportunities for developing musical skills were limited.
Despite a strong emphasis on Welsh culture, there were not enough opportunities for pupils to improve their Welsh-speaking skills, according to the report.
It further noted: "There is a strong focus on supporting pupils' wellbeing. Pupils generally behave well, although a few disrupt lessons and act inappropriately in corridors or the canteen. They are not always respectful to the school environment.
"Efforts to improve attendance have shown mixed results, with improvements held back by the persistent absence of a few pupils. Staff in the Nurture unit and partnerships with outside agencies provide valuable support for pupils, especially for those with additional learning needs (ALN). However, teachers do not always make the best use of the information given to them to support pupils with ALN."
Furthermore, the report stated: "Leaders do not evaluate the quality and impact of the provision for pupils with ALN carefully enough. The headteacher has a clear vision for improving the school's provision. However, senior leaders' roles do not always match their skills, which affects how effectively they can bring about change.
"Strategic planning is inconsistent, especially in improving quality of teaching, developing pupils' skills, and supporting ALN provision. Often, middle and senior leaders do not evaluate how the quality of teaching impacts pupils' learning. While leadership has had a positive impact on communication with parents and pupils' wellbeing, it has not had enough impact on the quality of teaching or the development of pupils' skills."
The inspectors provided five recommendations to aid the school in its improvement:
The inspectors concluded that special measures were necessary for the school. The school was instructed to formulate an action plan demonstrating how it would address the recommendations, according to the report.
Headteacher Ms Brown stated: "The recent inspection at Ysgol y Grango highlighted the school's dedication to promoting pupils' well-being, which remains at the heart of everything the school does. Inspectors also commended the school's strong sense of community, where staff and leaders work together to provide a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment for all pupils."
"There are many positive aspects in the report to celebrate and I am resolute in my determination to secure rapid improvements for our students. We have a comprehensive plan in place, and swift, decisive action has already been taken to address the inspection recommendations. Working alongside the governing body and with support from the Local Authority, we are committed to achieving lasting improvements that will benefit all our students, both now and in the future."
Receive the latest news on AI Financial Navigator 4.0