‘Transformation’ all set as head has vision for troubled schools
The new principal of a combined city high school has a fine track record for improving standards
EDUCATION will be transformed in a part of Cardiff currently served by two troubled high schools, the head of the new school replacing them has promised.
In his first public interview, Martin Hulland also revealed that half the staff from the existing Glyn Derw/ Michaelston Federation will not be joining the new Cardiff West Community High School, after all had to re-apply for jobs at the school.
When the 750-pupil school opens on the site in Ely in September – before moving to a new £30m building in September 2018 – staff and pupils will notice “root-and-branch change”, Mr Hulland said.
“We will be in the old building for a year but there will be fundamental changes from the start. It’s about transforming education in this part of Cardiff.”
The federation was put in special measures by education watchdog Estyn last December after inspectors gave it the lowest rating – “unsatisfactory” – across all areas.
The report highlighted how half of pupils cannot read “effectively” and many fail to make enough progress in literacy and numeracy.
All this will start to change from September, Mr Hulland pledged as he outlined his plans.
As well as a new uniform, school signs and reception area, the entire management structure has changed.
There is also a new governing body and there will be an emphasis on quality teaching and wellbeing of pupils.
The 46-year-old father of three, who took up the post last September, has already successfully turned around standards at his previous school in Wrexham.
Ysgol Clywedog was put in special measures in 2013, following historic problems, 17 weeks after Mr Hulland became head – but two years later it was so improved that inspectors removed it from the list. As part of a drive to raise standards and aspirations in Ely he is looking to set up a parent-teacher association for the new school – there is currently none at the federation.
“When I first saw this opportunity advertised in February 2016 I was not necessarily looking for a new job but the opportunity to set a school up from a blank sheet of paper with staffing and curriculum and a £30m new building is very exciting and a wonderful opportunity,” he said.
“I am confident that working together with the community and making sure there’s an absolute commitment to the best-quality teaching and learning, and with my new senior team, there will be a real focus on driving up educational standards.
“This is about hard work and raising aspiration and getting the best teachers. I have recruited from across the border too. It’s important you get the right balance.
“I am very confident I have recruited the right people to the new school.
“There are some very good people in the current school(s) who I am taking forward, but I want the best person for the job.”
Although he is excited that the school will move to a building with world-class facilities next year, he said significant changes would be in place from the start and quality teaching was the priority.
There will be 95 teachers at the new school, compared to 98 at the federation.
The new teaching staff will consist of a roughly equal mix of current Michaelstone/Glyn Derw teachers, and those recruited from elsewhere.
“If you have world-class facilities that is not going to have a detrimental effect on education but the most important thing is the ethos and quality of teaching,” he added.
Staff are working with feeder primary schools to ease the transition to high school for new Year 7 pupils, classrooms will be moved into subject clusters and nine “creative partners”, including Welsh National Opera and Cardiff Metropolitan University are working with the school.
Since taking up his position as head of Cardiff West Community High School last September, Mr Hulland has been based in a temporary office at Pencaerau Primary.
The Yorkshireman and father of children aged 12, 14 and 17 is married to a teacher and says he knows first hand how challenging it can be for pupils to move up to high school, and how important it is to get parents involved.
“Research shows it’s critically important to engage parents in education,” he added.
“I have spent a lot of time in the local community speaking to hundreds of people.
“Listening informs my planning and vision. I am acutely aware of the need for close, positive work with the local community and parents, primaries, teachers and pupils – if we get all of that right I am very confident the school will be a success.
“There’s a huge amount of potential. I am keen to establish an identity for the school and it’s about making sure everyone feels part of that.
“We have an opportunity for a fresh start in this part of Cardiff.”