**Welshpool High School Placed in Special Measures Amid Concerns Over Teaching Standards**
Welshpool High School has been placed under special measures following a critical inspection by Estyn, Wales’ education inspectorate, which highlighted significant inconsistencies in teaching and pupil progress. The report, published after an inspection in May, found that around half of the lessons observed did not allow students to achieve their potential, and that basic literacy errors often went uncorrected.
Estyn’s findings painted a picture of a school where teaching quality is “too variable,” resulting in many pupils making only limited progress. Out of the 789 students attending the secondary school, adequate or better progress was the exception rather than the rule. Inspectors reported that only in a few classes did instructors set high expectations or provide suitable levels of challenge.
Among the most pressing issues highlighted was the infrequency and superficial nature of marking. Written feedback, when given, was often imprecise, offering little direction for improvement. This lack of rigorous assessment meant that pupils’ literacy mistakes frequently persisted unchecked, contributing to ongoing issues with written work across the school. Estyn’s report criticised this as a barrier to both literacy development and broader academic progress.
The inspection also drew attention to numeracy and the use of the Welsh language. Opportunities for pupils to deepen their mathematical skills across various subjects were found lacking in challenge, while Welsh language provision left most students unable to form independent sentences. Inspectors acknowledged that although pupils generally pronounced Welsh words correctly, their vocabulary and expressive capability were limited.
Tracking and monitoring of pupils’ progress, particularly in the younger year groups, was described as “underdeveloped.” According to inspectors, this shortfall hinders leaders’ ability to evaluate the new co-constructed curriculum’s effectiveness, making it harder to pinpoint and address gaps in learning. As a result, leaders have struggled to secure necessary improvements in key areas.
While attendance at Welshpool High School has inched upwards, it remains below levels seen before the Covid-19 pandemic. Concerns were raised about the attendance rates of pupils eligible for free school meals, who lag behind the national average. This issue is of particular concern as regular attendance is closely linked to academic achievement.
Despite these challenges, the Estyn report did identify some areas of strength. Most teachers were praised for creating warm and supportive environments, establishing positive relationships with pupils, and managing behaviour effectively. The school’s commitment to promoting Welsh identity and culture was commended, as was the emphasis on safeguarding and pupil well-being. Estyn noted that staff are “dedicated to creating a caring environment,” and that pupils generally feel safe and supported in their transition from primary to secondary education.
Responding to the inspection, Powys County Council described the findings as “disappointing” but expressed a commitment to working closely with the school to address the concerns. A team of senior education officers has already begun collaborating with Welshpool High to draw up an action plan tackling the most urgent issues. Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, emphasised the determination to build on “existing strengths while tackling the areas that require urgent attention.”
The chair of governors, Jeff Johnson, indicated the school’s willingness to embrace the necessary changes, pledging that staff, the council, and Estyn will work in partnership to drive rapid improvements. Estyn has made five key recommendations: strengthening leadership, improving the quality of teaching, enhancing cross-curricular development of literacy and numeracy, boosting attendance—especially among disadvantaged pupils—and broadening opportunities for pupils to use Welsh beyond dedicated lessons.
Welshpool High School must now develop a detailed action plan, which will guide the school through the improvement process. Estyn will monitor progress every four to six months, ensuring continued focus on addressing the shortcomings highlighted in the report. For Welshpool’s school community, the journey ahead promises determined efforts and close scrutiny, with the ultimate aim of delivering a consistently high standard of education for all its pupils.