“Hard work and commitment” of local secondary school highlighted following recent inspection

The headteacher of a Wrexham secondary school has welcomed a fantastic progress report following a recent visit by inspectors.

Ysgol Y Grango, in Rhos, has been described as making strong improvements by Estyn during a recent follow-up visit by Estyn, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales.

A report in April 2017 set out a series of recommendations for the school to follow after an inspection described the school’s current performance as “unsatisfactory” and its prospects for improvement as “adequate”.

Now a new report by Estyn shows that the school has followed up on all the recommendations from last year and “has strengthened its provision for developing pupils’ skills”.

As a result Ysgol Y Grango is “judged to have made sufficient progress in relation to the recommendations following the most recent core inspection.”

The good news comes as the school continues its expansion, having been over-subscribed over the last three years.

The report has noted strong improvements in a number of areas, including:

– Standards at Ysgol Y Grango have improved and outcomes at key stage 4 are now broadly in line with those of similar schools.

–  The school has strengthened its provision for developing pupils’ skills, and now provides pupils with a wide range of valuable opportunities to develop their numeracy and literacy skills across the curriculum.

– Leaders have focussed successfully on addressing many of the key shortcomings identified in teaching and assessment

– The strength of pupils’ voices in the school’s development, including through events such as “Feedback Fridays”, which allows pupils to give their views on teaching and learning.

Stephen Garthwaite, headteacher at Ysgol y Grango, said: “I am absolutely delighted with the positive comments within the inspection report. This reflects the hard work and commitment of the whole school team to strive for excellence across all areas, so that all our students receive the very best education and care.

“We have also further invested in the professional development of our teachers with regard to classroom and assessment practice and we encourage frequent sharing of good practice, again factors recognised by the inspectors.

“As a school we can be confident that we have put in place measures that will ensure a successful future, building on what we have already achieved and continuing to drive up aspirations.

“I would like to thank all the staff for their ongoing dedication, and the community for their invaluable support.”

Ian Roberts, head of education at Wrexham Council, congratulated the school for its “excellent outcome” following the Estyn visit and praised everyone for their “effort, commitment and dedication.”

Cllr Phil Wynn, lead member for education, said: “I’m very pleased with this excellent progress report, and congratulations are due to all staff, pupils and governors for their efforts in ensuring the school has delivered against Estyn’s recommendations by the time of the second inspection.”

Brian Jones, the chair of governors, added: “The governors are delighted with the many positive aspects highlighted in the report. There is a real appreciation of the hard work undertaken by the headteacher and leadership team to promote an excellent learning environment and a strong, caring ethos.

“We are all focused on driving up levels of attainment and I am confident that with everything that has been done and will be done, the school can look forward to a very bright future ahead.

“As a community, we must all encourage our young people to aim high and realise their dreams.”