EDUCATION officials say they are “pleased” with progress by a comprehensive school that has been in special measures for six years.
Cwmbran High School was found to be in need of “significant improvement” by education inspectors Estyn in December 2018 and has remained in the category since which has seen an overhaul of its governors and headteachers come and go.
Schools in special measures receive regular follow up monitoring visits from the inspection service with updates reported to the local education authority.
Jason O’Brien, Torfaen Borough Council’s strategic director responsible for education, told the full council’s April 8 meeting Estyn is due to deliver its latest inspection report on the 1,100 pupil school within a fortnight.
He said: “We are pleased with the progress and awaiting formal notification within the next two weeks.”
Councillor Richard Clark, the council’s Labour cabinet member responsible for education, said as soon as the authority receives confirmation of Estyn’s inspection he will provide councillors with a link to the report on Estyn’s publicly available website.
He said the school has been supported by the council’s education department and the Gwent wide Education Achievement Service.
Independent councillor for St Dial’s, in Cwmbran, Elizabeth Haynes, said: “I’m pleased to see some improvement and look forward to the update on Cwmbran High and the issues it has had for several years now.”
Reform UK councillor for Trevethin and Penygarn Stuart Keyte said it was a “disgrace to our children” the school has been in special measures for six years but he was pleased progress is being made.
The report on the education service also confirmed that Torfaen’s Ty Glyn pupil referral unit, for those who aren’t attending mainstream schools, has been placed in special measures by Estyn.
Mr O’Brien said members would note the unit, that operates across three sites, is in the category of requiring significant improvement and said there is new leadership at the school and an improvement plan is in place.
Andrew Powless, the director of education, said Estyn has recognised additional learning needs provision at Cwmbran High as good among other positive comments it has made about schools in Torfaen and it has asked St Alban’s Roman Catholic Secondary, in Pontypool, to take part in its review on how it has improved attendance.
Mr Powless said: “We’ve got a lot to be proud of and to celebrate in our schools and should recognise the hard work that goes on and success breeds success.”
The council accepted the update on the education service.