Special measures for high school

Estyn identified a number of failings, both in leadership and in results

Rhyl High School has been placed in special measures following a report by schools inspectorate Estyn.

A report said there were "important shortcomings in standards, teaching and leadership and management," which the school was aware of but "failed to resolve".

It found that GSCE and A-Level results were below national average and attendance rates fell "well below".

The school said it would take "serious note" and act upon the findings.

In its report, which follows an inspection last November, Estyn said the quality of teaching at the school is significantly below average for Wales.

While a small minority of lessons had outstanding features, in general teachers' expectations were too low, it said.

At a senior level the leadership team is ineffective in setting the strategic direction for the school and in implementing, monitoring and evaluating school policy Estyn report

On leadership and management, the report said: "While the headteacher communicates a vision focussed on school improvement, his aims and values are not shared by all members of the school community and reflected in their work.

"The school has begun to draw up a suitable range of policies which reflect these aims. However, these policies are not having a sufficient impact on practice

"At a senior level the leadership team is ineffective in setting the strategic direction for the school and in implementing, monitoring and evaluating school policy.

"Their areas of responsibility are not clearly defined and they are not held accountable for the quality of their work."

Culture

It also identified concerns over the use of the Welsh language, adding: "There are shortcomings in the way key skills are planned and co-ordinated and in the way in which bilingualism and the culture of Wales are promoted."

The report highlighted some good points, including lessons in GCSE art which were deemed "good with outstanding features".

The school will produce an action plan to ensure that these improvements are targeted, monitored and attained Rhyl High School

Achievements for pupils in numeracy, communication and information and communication technology also had good features which outweighed shortcomings.

In a statement, the school said it was proud of many achievements.

However, it added: "The Governors accept that we need to act on the findings of the report and, as a school, we are determined to make sure that the we better serve the community of Rhyl in the future.

"The school will produce an action plan to ensure that these improvements are targeted, monitored and attained."

Gareth Wyn Jones, Denbighshire's Head of School Improvement, said: "Of course we realise that there is still a lot of work to be done to improve performance, but we can reassure parents and the wider education community that there is total commitment from the headteacher, staff and students, as well as the council, to raise standards at the school."

'Left dangling'

Chris Ruane, MP for the Vale of Clwyd, said Rhyl High was the second school in the town to be placed in special measures in recent years.

Blessed Edward Jones was taken out of 18 months of special measures last year, following a critical inspection at the end of 2006.

Mr Ruane said: "Rhyl High was without a head for three, four, possibly even five years. Why did the local authority leave it dangling in the wind for so many years?

"For two schools in the same town to be placed in special measures within a couple of years of each other is unheard of.

"These are two schools in the same town with the same education services - which have been described as failing - and a local authority which recently came within a hair's breadth of being described as failing itself."

He said the new administration at Denbighshire council had recognised a need for additional resources, but it was "too little too late".