School ‘still not meeting required standards’
A SCHOOL in Maesteg which was placed in special measures more than 18 months ago is still not meeting the required standards, Estyn inspectors have said following a routine monitoring visit.
Plasnewydd Primary School underwent an inspection in June, having first been placed in special measures in January 2018.
The school was tasked with improving the quality of teaching and assessment at Key Stage 2, raising standards in reading, writing and mathematics at Key Stage 2, revising the curriculum so that it was broad and balanced, and challenging more able pupils.
It also needed to address various safeguarding issues and had to strengthen the effectiveness of senior leaders in identifying and addressing shortcomings in standards and provision.
In a report going before a Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) scrutiny committee on Wednesday, October 9, education officers said since September 2018, the school had received intensive support from both the local authority and Central South Consortium (CSC).
They said there had also been funding for other schools to work with Plasnewydd Primary in supporting it with their recommendations.
Meanwhile, a new chairman of governors was appointed in October 2018.
The report states that progress review meetings between the local authority, Plasnewydd Primary and CSC are held on a half-termly basis while Estyn conducts monitoring visits each term.
But in May, the school was issued with a “schools causing concern” warning notice by the local authority with the school being required to send weekly reports to BCBC detailing how it was addressing the concerns noted in the warning letter.
In its most recent report, Estyn said there had been progress in some areas but the school still required special measures.
In their report to councillors, education officers have said that “very good” progress has been made in addressing the safeguarding issues identified during the inspection, adding that satisfactory progress had been made to improve the quality of teaching and assessment at Key Stage 2, and in revising the curriculum.
However, they said limited progress had been made in the other areas.
The report states the school will continue to receive intensive support, focused on addressing the actions detailed in a postinspection action plan.
Estyn is due to conduct another monitoring visit during the autumn term.