School placed in special measures

Inspectors will monitor the school term by term for improvements

A bilingual primary school in Powys has been placed in special measures after inspectors reported that it lacked leadership and direction.

Ysgol Dyffryn Trannon in Trefeglwys, near Llanidloes, was found to have "significant behavioural problems".

The Estyn inspection also revealed that four of its five permanent teachers had been on long-term sick leave.

Powys Council and the school, which has 89 pupils, will be drawing up action plans aimed at solving the problems.

Three inspectors spent six days at the school in June, and as part of the inspection parents were asked for their views about pupil behaviour.

We're not complacent and are aware that a lot of hard work is required but I'm confident... there will be immediate significant improvement Iwan Owen, chair of the governors

Estyn said half of the parents who replied felt that "significant behavioural problems" existed at the school, but temporary teaching staff had started to address the issue.

The council said a temporary senior management team, comprising an acting headteacher and consultant headteacher, had been appointed recently.

In a report, Estyn inspector Alan Walters said: "In a number of subjects pupils do not make sufficient progress from previous years and this impairs standards."

About behaviour at the school, he added: "Good behaviour is adversely affected by the activities of a significant minority of challenging pupils whose activities until recently had gone unchecked."

'Serious impact'

Mr Walters said: "Due to the long term absence of four out of five of the permanent members of staff (including the headteacher), the school has lacked leadership and direction and there have been significant shortcomings in developing a strategic way forward for the school."

Iwan Owen, chair of the governors, said: "Estyn reported that the lack of leadership and direction at the school because of the long-term absence of four out of five permanent staff has had a serious impact on the school.

"An advisory headteacher and a new deputy headteacher have been appointed for the start of the new academic year.

"We're not complacent and are aware that a lot of hard work is required but I'm confident that with the support of staff, pupils, parents, governors and the council, there will be immediate significant improvement."

Estyn will monitor the school term by term until improvements are made.