Anglesey primary school shows significant improvements, says Estyn

An Anglesey primary school has shown enough improvement to be taken out of Estyn monitoring.

Ysgol Brynsiencyn has “made sufficient progress” to be removed from the list of schools requiring review and there will be no further monitoring, the Welsh schools inspectorate has confirmed.

A December 2017 inspection had found leadership and management at the 53 pupil school to be “unsatisfactory” and needing “urgent improvement, ” with all other aspects found to be “adequate and needing improvement.”

The original report, published in 2018, noted that while improvements had been made, leaders had been “too slow to respond to ensure that provision has a positive enough effect on pupils’ standards.”

“Following a difficult period in the school’s history, the deputy headteacher has gained parents’ confidence and works effectively with the supporting headteacher,” it went on to say.

“However, there is currently no certainty about the stability of the school’s leadership in the long-term.”

But a follow-up inspection in January, and recently published, has found that enough improvements have now been made to lift the school out of such measures.

Since the appointment of a permanent headteacher last year, the school’s leadership situation is now described as “stable,” having “continued successfully with the procedures that were established previously.”

It noted: “With support from the regional consortium, leaders implemented an effective improvement plan in order to meet the recommendations’ requirements.

“These procedures are having a positive effect on pupils’ standards, provision and important elements of leadership.”

The report went on to say, “Following purposeful training, the governing body has developed to operate more effectively.

“Sub-committees meet regularly and a majority of governors visit the school either to observe lessons or to scrutinise pupils’ work books.

“These governors have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of strengths and areas for improvement. They provide feedback following visits in order to contribute towards setting a strategic direction for the school.

“As a result of the headteacher’s purposeful support, this feedback is much more evaluative and identifies the next steps effectively.”

Welcoming the development, Anglesey Director of Education, Skills and Young People, Rhys Howard Hughes, said: “The Learning Service is delighted that Estyn has recognized the positive developments at the school.

“We are aware of the effective work that has happened and continues to happen within the school.

“The Headteacher, staff, pupils and school stakeholders are to be commended for their efforts.

“We look forward to continuing the collaboration with the school and to being part of the exciting journey ahead. ”

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter