Primary put in special measures

Estyn inspectors visited Ysgol y parc in April this year

An Anglesey primary school has been placed into special measures by schools watchdog body Estyn.

Inspectors said Ysgol y Parc, Holyhead, was "experiencing considerable tensions" which prevented it "from developing as it should".

In a statement, the school governors said they accepted that "the school faces a very significant challenge".

They added the school has faced a difficult few years with the threat of closure.

Supporters of the school began campaigning in 2007, when the school was one of a number threatened with closure as the county council looked to deal with falling pupil numbers.

Parents highlighted what they said was a "danger walk" pupils would have to undertake, across Holyhead town to another school, involving crossing the busy port, and negotiating the traffic heading for the ferries, if the school was shut.

Meanwhile, in February this year, the school was one five in the Holyhead area under consideration for closure, along with 10 unnamed schools.

In 2007, supporters of Ysgol y Parc campaigned to keep it open

According to Estyn's report, despite the school's difficulties it "succeeds in providing an education that has good features outweighing shortcomings in relation to pupils' standards of achievements".

The governors have prepared an action plan to address the shortcomings highlighted by inspectors.

An Anglesey council spokesperson said: "The Local Education Authority (LEA) can confirm that, following an inspection of Ysgol y Parc (in April 2009), Estyn has classified the school as one that is in need of special measures.

"Naturally, the LEA is disappointed with the outcome of this inspection.

'Seriously improved'

"Nevertheless, it has informed the school's governing body that it will provide the school with the appropriate level of support to enable the school to formulate a detailed and robust action plan that will address the shortcomings identified by Estyn and implement the action required over the coming months.

"We are confident that through collaboration and joint working that the standards will improve and the school can look to a brighter future."

In their statement, the governors said: "The governors accept the conclusions of the report which recognises the successes of the school as well as drawing attention to matters that need to be seriously improved.

"The governors value the fact that the school is recognised as having many good features in caring, guiding and supporting its pupils, early year's education and pupil's behaviour.

'Succeed'

"The school has faced a difficult few years particularly with the threat of closure during the schools' rationalisation process.

"The uncertainty associated with this affected the progress of the school's development plan.

"The governors are confident that the school will succeed in addressing its weaknesses and improve its provision of education. They will work closely with the local education authority to ensure that this is achieved."