Action plan as high schools ‘need help’
OUTLINE plans have been set out to address “significant concerns” in Torfaen secondary schools after the Welsh Government categorisation put half in the red.
Five of Torfaen’s six schools require intervention following the latest categorisation, which reveals the schools that need the most support.
In response, Torfaen County Borough Council held a special meeting to discuss ways to address the issues.
A council report presented to the council detailed that three of the six secondary schools are in the red category for step three, which monitors risk levels – Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran High School and Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw.
Two are in the amber category – Abersychan Comprehensive and West Monmouth.
Schools in the amber and red category require further intervention.
Only St Albans RC High is in the green category.
Cllr Richard Clark, who had been named as the new cabinet member for education just hours before, outlined his plans to address the concerns.
Cllr Clark said he plans to set up an education advisory group, which would include the council leader, the cabinet member, the chairman of the scrutiny, a member from each party and an individual independent councillor.
He said: “It is also my intention to meet with the head teachers, particularly the secondary heads to know their perspective on it all. I want to have confidence that all the arrangements we have put in place for learners are as good as it can be.”
The head of the council’s education service, Dermot McChrystal, said that while the primary schools in the county borough had succeeded in the capacity to self-improve, the same couldn’t be said for the secondary schools.
He said: “Categorisation isn’t just about performance, it can also be about absence of key leadership members.
“The performance of secondary schools remains an area of significant concern, with the majority of our schools requiring significant and often the highest levels of support.
“We meet with schools categorised red on a monthly basis to look at those actions and review what progress they’re making against the post-inspection action plan.
“It’s very clear that the overall outcomes for Key Stage Four and Five remain disappointing
“I recognise if we continue to do the same things we will continue to get the same outcomes.”
Cllr Huw Bevan said the council needed a more outcome-driven approach.
He said: “The report has identified the key areas which have been highlighted impacting under performance. What we need to do as an authority is have a radical change of thought process.”
The former cabinet member for education Cllr David Yeowell said he “welcomed” a new perspective.
Cllr Glyn Caron said it was important to be aware that there are only six secondary schools in the county borough.
He said: “If one drops into the red then that’s 17% of the secondary schools. We need to acknowledge that not everything is somebody’s fault. Sometimes it’s just circumstances building on circumstances.”
The council leader, Cllr Anthony Hunt, said it was vital the council continued to strive for improved outcomes.
He said: “I believe we must roll up our sleeves and leave no stone unturned. Please remember that means less of our focus on other things. This is certainly a priority.”