Wrexham High School Judged ‘Adequate’ Following Inspection

A Wrexham High School and Sixth Form has been judged as ‘Adequate’ following a recent inspection.

Ysgol Rhiwabon, which is based in Ruabon has been deemed as ‘adequate’ following a recent inspection by Estyn, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales.

The facility is an English-medium school with pupils aged between 11 and 18. In total Estyn notes that there are 591 pupils in the school, including 79 students in the sixth form. Estyn continues onto note that there has been a decrease in the number of students at the facility since the last inspection in 2009, with 806 pupils on roll, including 102 in the sixth form.

The inspection, which took place in January 2015 focuses on three central questions; how good are a school’s outcomes, how good is provision and how good are the leadership and management. A school then receives a judgement of Excellent, Good, Adequate and Unsatisfactory.

In this instance the facility has been judged as ‘Adequate’ by Estyn.

Among several reasons, the school has been judged as adequate due to factors such as the positive attitude held by many students, the school’s inclusive ethos and the effective provision for pupils with additional learning needs,

However the report goes onto comment that the attendance rates at the school are below expected levels, the quality of teaching and assessment varies too much within and across departments and a majority of pupils’ writing has frequent spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors.

Details of Ysgol Rhiwabon’s prospects for improvement have also been judged as adequate, with Estyn stating that the headteacher provides a clear vision and strategic direction and there are clear aims, strategies and policies focus suitably on raising standards and improving the quality of teaching and provision.

Estyn goes onto comment on their ‘main findings’ during the inspection, with the facility’s standards, well-being, learning experiences, teaching, care support and guidance; learning environment, leadership, improving quality and partnership working all listed as adequate.

The report notes: “The school will draw up an action plan that shows how it is going to address the recommendations. Estyn will monitor the school’s progress.”