A POWYS secondary school has welcomed its latest inspection report – despite the fact some areas remain a cause for concern.

Ysgol Calon Cymru was praised by Estyn for providing an “enriching” environment, with pupils said to be thriving thanks to its pastoral care, support and guidance from teachers.

Yet Estyn says the school – which operates on dual campuses in Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells following a controversial merger in 2017 – also has issues to address.

Estyn issued four key recommendations for the school, with an action plan required to address the shortcomings. It is the school’s first Estyn report and was published on December 5.

Estyn reports no longer include summative grades, instead providing greater detail on strengths and areas for improvement.

In its overview of the school, Estyn’s report said: “Ysgol Calon Cymru provides a calm, caring and enriching learning environment where many pupils develop as happy, confident and respectful individuals.

“Many pupils develop positive relationships with school staff and are friendly with visitors.

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“Well-established pupil-led action groups, such as the ‘Criw Cymraeg’, the LBTQ+ group and the Male Mental Health Group play an important role in helping to develop the school’s inclusive ethos.

“However, pupils, including pupil governors and class captains do not have enough opportunities to share their opinions on other important aspects of the school’s work, such as the quality of teaching."

It adds: “Pupils benefit from an array of extra-curricular clubs and enrichment activities. Many thrive because of the school’s strong provision for pastoral care, support and guidance.

County Times: Ysgol Calon Cymru's Builth campusYsgol Calon Cymru's Builth campus

“However, there are insufficient opportunities for older pupils to learn about and talk about important issues which affect them, such as relationships, health and wellbeing, financial education and life skills.”

Since opening on September 1, 2018, Ysgol Calon Cymru has been plagued by financial problems, and an internal audit by Powys County Council a year ago criticised “significant gaps, weaknesses or non-compliance” with how merger was implemented.

But Estyn said the permanent head, appointed in 2021, and new senior leadership have "shared a clear and ambitious vision with pupils, parents, staff and governors."

The report adds: “Although there is now more stability in the school, there are inconsistencies in the quality of middle leaders, in particular their ability to plan for improvements.

“Despite clear strengths in the school’s processes to safeguard children and young people, inspectors identified shortcomings in the standards of health and safety on both campuses.”

Estyn has made four recommendations which include improving teaching boosting literacy, numeracy and digital skills, strengthening improvement planning processes, and addressing the health and safety issues.

The school will now draw up an action plan and Estyn will work with the local authority to review progress.

Headteacher Richard Jones, who was appointed in March 2021, said: “We are very pleased with this report and our inspection outcome.

“The report recognises our wide-ranging strengths and also provides us with useful feedback to further improve; areas of feedback we have already started to address through professional learning sessions and staff collaboration.

“As a school, we are robustly evaluating all that we do, and I am pleased that this has been noted. At Ysgol Calon Cymru, we want to ensure that each step of our progress builds strong and sustainable foundations for the future.

“We are a talented and committed staff and I know our school will keep going from strength to strength."

Sharon Hammond, chair of governors at the school, added: “I am delighted that the report highlights all the excellent work of the school since it was established."