City school is singled out for special praise

AN inner city secondary school was singled out for praise by the Chief Inspector of Training and Education in Wales at the launch of his annual report this week.

Meilyr Rowlands said leadership and sharing best practice at Fitzalan High in Cardiff had driven the school’s progress.

“In schools like Fitzalan High in Cardiff, that have a strong commitment to continual improvement, leaders focus on improving teaching and learning, supporting teachers to innovate, investing in staff development and creating the right conditions for staff to work together within and beyond their organisation.”

Fitzalan deputy head Mark Tidman, who has been at the school five years, said “I am delighted on behalf of the school.

“A lot of hard work has gone into it from staff, parents and pupils.

“We try to work very closely with partners in education and local primary schools and the local community.”

The 1,730-pupil school has more than 200 teachers and was rated double excellent by Estyn inspectors last year.

The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 32.7%, which is considerably higher than the national average of 17.4%.

Around 60% of pupils live in the 20% most deprived areas of Wales.

Around 35% of pupils have a special educational need, which is above the national average of 25.1% while the proportion of pupils who have a statement of special education needs is 2%, which is lower than the 2.5% average in Wales.

No pupils speak Welsh as a first language.

Approximately 70% of pupils come from a minority ethnic background and speak English as an additional language.

More than 60 different languages are spoken among pupils.