Youngsters at Welshpool Excessive make “restricted progress” in round half of classes, training watchhdog Estyn discovered because it put the college into the best stage of monitoring
A faculty the place errors in literacy typically go uncorrected and pupils make “restricted progress” in half of classes has been put into the best stage of monitoring by inspectors. A damning report from training watchdog Estyn stated instructing at Welshpool Excessive is just too variable.
The native training authority described the report as “disappointing”. Powys County Council stated it was working with the college and would deal with areas that require pressing consideration.
After visiting the English medium secondary inspectors concluded that solely in “a only a few classes” did lecturers have excessive expectations of what pupils can obtain. The 789 pupils solely make ample or higher progress in round half of circumstances. Alternatives for pupils to develop numeracy expertise throughout the curriculum usually are not difficult sufficient and pupils are usually unable to assemble their very own sentences independently in Welsh.
On prime of this monitoring and monitoring of pupil progress in youthful years is “underneath developed” which inspectors stated made it onerous for college leaders to guage the influence of the curriculum lecturers now co-create. Learn the largest tales in Wales first by signing as much as our each day e-newsletter right here
Whereas attendance has improved it’s nonetheless beneath pre-pandemic ranges and the attendance charges of the 17% of pupils eligible totally free faculty meals is beneath the nationwide common.
“General, the standard of instructing is just too variable,” the report from Estyn says, “Practically all lecturers possess safe topic information and act as efficient language fashions, establishing heat and supportive relationships with pupils. Nonetheless, in half of classes, shortcomings in instructing lead to pupils not making the progress they’re able to.
“Lecturers in these classes typically lack excessive expectations, present insufficiently difficult actions, and fail to adapt their instructing to assist pupils with weaker expertise.
“Lecturers, generally, don’t present sufficient alternatives for pupils to develop their Welsh language expertise. Moreover, written suggestions in a minority of circumstances lacks precision and doesn’t successfully assist enchancment.”
The report, simply revealed after inspectors visited in Might, stated the standard of instructing “varies significantly throughout the college”. Solely “in a only a few classes” do lecturers have excessive expectations of what pupils can obtain and “in round half of classes, shortcomings in instructing imply that pupils make restricted progress”.
Inspectors additionally discovered issues with lecturers’ marking and the curriculum.
“In a minority of circumstances, written suggestions lacks precision and isn’t useful in supporting enchancment. In these circumstances, marking is rare or superficial, and errors in literacy typically go uncorrected,” the report goes on.
“Monitoring and monitoring of pupil progress in youthful years is underdeveloped, making it onerous for leaders to guage the influence of the curriculum and know whether or not pupils are making appropriate progress.”
Visiting the college the Estyn group discovered that round a half of pupils additionally don’t pay attention rigorously to their lecturers and friends and “typically miss directions and knowledge that might assist their studying”.
On literacy inspectors discovered: “A only a few pupils produce well-crafted writing that engages the reader’s curiosity efficiently. The writing of round a half is technically safe and reveals a transparent understanding of goal and viewers. In round a half of circumstances writing is simplistic, and concepts are expressed poorly. These pupils make frequent fundamental errors, which in lots of circumstances usually are not recognized by lecturers. The marking of even fundamental literacy is underdeveloped throughout the college and contributes considerably to the continuation of those errors.”
On numeracy the report says that alternatives for pupils to develop their expertise throughout the curriculum usually are not difficult sufficient.
There are additionally failings in Welsh language instructing and total pupils solely make “modest progress of their means to speak in Welsh”
“Whereas their pronunciation (in Welsh) is sound, they’ve restricted vocabulary and are usually unable to assemble their very own sentences independently, the report provides.
Governors are enthusiastic and dedicated supporters of the college, starting to problem leaders appropriately. The headteacher, along with the enterprise supervisor and governing physique, manages the college’s funds rigorously, contributing to a big A report on Welshpool Excessive Faculty Might 2025 4 discount of the deficit finances. Nonetheless, the college’s use of pupil growth grant (PDG) funding has not at all times been acceptable and has not had adequate influence on the attendance and attainment of pupils eligible totally free faculty meals.
On a brighter be aware Estyn discovered Welshpool excessive “locations an emphasis on native id and the idea of Cynefin” providing pupils alternatives to deepen their appreciation of Welsh heritage and tradition and inspectors additionally praised private and social training on the faculty.
The headteacher has been in publish since 2022 however regardless of leaders’ dedication to elevating the achievement of all pupils management has had “inadequate influence on vital features akin to the standard of instructing and expertise growth”, inspectors added.
Regardless of issues with instructing inspectors stated that the majority lecturers set up heat and supportive relationships with pupils, and lots of handle pupils’ behaviour constantly properly. In consequence, practically all pupils reply by being well mannered and respectful in the direction of guests, lecturers, and their friends, and are punctual to classes.
Esyn additionally famous that the college leaders and workers “are devoted to making a caring atmosphere and supporting pupils’ well-being”.
The watchdog famous that the college has a robust safeguarding tradition and rapidly addresses any points, which ends up in most pupils feeling protected. A lately revised method to supporting good behaviour and engagement had efficiently decreased low-level disruptions in classes.
Pupils additionally get “useful steering and mentoring” to assist their studying and private growth and there are sturdy preparations in place to assist pupils well-being after they transfer from main to secondary training.
In a press release Powys Council stated: “A group of senior training officers are already working with a Powys secondary faculty following a disappointing Estyn inspection. Powys County Council will assist Welshpool Excessive Faculty after Estyn inspectors had been of the opinion that particular measures are required for the college.
“The report and proposals, which have been accepted by each the college and the council, will kind the idea of a joint and detailed motion plan to handle key areas requiring enchancment.”
Cllr Pete Roberts, Powys County Council’s Cupboard Member for a Studying Powys, stated: “Right now I share the frustration that everybody related to Welshpool Excessive Faculty is experiencing.
“This Estyn inspection report gives a transparent and trustworthy evaluation of the challenges the college is dealing with and affords very important steering on the steps wanted to result in significant enchancment.
“We’re dedicated to working carefully with the college’s senior management group to handle these challenges. Collectively, we’ll concentrate on the suggestions outlined by Estyn, constructing on the college’s present strengths whereas tackling the areas that require pressing consideration.
“This marks the start of a decided enchancment journey for the college and its group.”
Jeff Johnson, chair of Governors at Welshpool Excessive Faculty, stated: “The varsity embraces the suggestions from the inspection group and can work tirelessly alongside the council and Estyn to make fast and sustained enhancements.”
Putting the college into Particular Measures the inspectorate made 5 suggestions. Estyn stated the college should:
- Strengthen management to make sure that roles and obligations are equitable and clear and be certain that leaders in any respect ranges consider their work precisely and robustly, and safe the enhancements required.
- Enhance the standard of instructing to make sure acceptable problem for all pupils.
- Enhance cross-curricular planning to develop pupils’ literacy and numeracy expertise progressively.
- Enhance attendance, specifically that of pupils eligible totally free faculty meals.
- Enhance the alternatives that pupils have to make use of Welsh outdoors of Welsh classes.
The varsity will now draw up an motion plan to indicate how it’s going to tackle the suggestions and Estyn will monitor the college’s progress round each 4 to 6 months.
