After just over three years at the helm, it seems like a good time to look back and consider what has been achieved. Here are ten pupil and staff achievements that sprang to mind.

First, we have further strengthened our pastoral care during the pandemic. I have often said that Llanidloes High School may well be the happiest, high-achieving school in Wales. In my experience as an Additional Estyn Inspector and Challenge Adviser, I had the privilege of supporting and evaluating secondary schools up and down the country. It is clear that Llanidloes continues to enjoy a vibrant and flourishing learning culture, deeply caring ethos and exceptional commitment of staff. Everyone goes the extra mile to ensure each and every pupil’s experience of school is as happy as possible.

Second, we have improved our academic standards. It continues to be a humbling privilege to be entrusted with the responsibility for overseeing the education of each and every precious child at Llanidloes High School. All of us at the school take this responsibility seriously, which is reflected in the splendid results we achieve.

The school has outperformed the Welsh Government’s modelled outcomes for several successive years in the number of pupils achieving five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English or Welsh and mathematics. Only a tiny handful of schools across the country have managed that feat. Before the arrival of Centre Assessed Grades (CAGs) and Centre Determined Grades (CDGs), we were placed in ‘The Times’ top 10 state schools in Wales. We have a well-established track record of enabling students to gain places in Oxford, Cambridge and many other Russell Group universities on highly competitive courses. We have strengthened provision for students with additional learning needs, including those with autism who flourish in our outstanding Autistic Spectrum Centre. Our unswerving commitment to enabling children to realise their aspirations continues to drive us forward as a staff team.

Third, during the pandemic, we have been directly involved in designing summer assessments with Welsh Government, Qualifications Wales and the WJEC exam board. We were nominated by regional partners to participate on the Design and Delivery Board to this end. Consequently, all of our exam students achieved strong outcomes despite finishing their statutory schooling in the face of unprecedented challenges. 

Fourth, we have delivered on our commitment to engage in purposeful school reorganisation. We have established the Llanidloes Schools Federation with our wonderful colleagues at Llanidloes Primary School to ensure our pupils enjoy strong continuity and progression as they transition from primary to secondary schooling. 

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Fifth, we have secured considerable investment, including a new 3G pitch, refurbished changing rooms and two Apple Mac suites for music technology and Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) prototypes and finished products. Pupils are also enjoying new PCs in all IT suites across the school, and a library revamp to deliver Accelerated Reader. We are also part-way through a major refurbishment programme to ensure our pupils’ learning environment is of the same calibre as that enjoyed by pupils in the independent sector. All of this has been achieved at the same time as establishing a cumulative budget surplus, which is now being used to invest in staffing and learning resources. 

Sixth, we have continued to nurture creativity, integrity, compassion and humility in our young people.  Our pupils have been ambassadors within the local community, supporting the elderly and vulnerable. They continue to enjoy sporting and Eisteddfod success, including first place in national events. Possibly the greatest appeal for parents of prospective pupils to whom I speak, is our culture and ethos. Everyone who visits the school comments on the peaceful, calm atmosphere, strong sense of discipline and the courtesy of our wonderful children.

Seventh, our partnerships with Local Authority colleagues and secondary schools across Powys and the rest of Wales have been deepened and strengthened. All secondary schools in Powys now share their good practice so that all our pupils enjoy excellent teaching and learning experiences. We share in each other’s successes and help each other address areas for development.   

Eighth, we have established the largest Welsh stream in the school’s history and continue to work with Local Authority colleagues to further expand opportunities for Welsh learners. The Governing Body will soon share our exciting vision for expansion and improvement in this area of school life.

Ninth, since arriving in 2018, the school has enjoyed a 26% growth in pupil numbers. That may be the highest rate of growth in Wales. In recent times, demand for places in Year 7 has exceeded the school’s maximum admission number. So if your readers know parents of Year 6 children who are considering sending their child to Llanidloes, please encourage them to submit their application to the Local Authority as soon as possible. 

Finally, the changes we have made over the past three years have led to our being categorised in the highest green category of self-improving schools. 

In short, it has been a busy and productive three years. However, we are now looking ahead to the next three years. Our staff are now wholly focused on creating a new world class curriculum and research-driven learning experiences that inspire and shape the next generation. 

Mr Daniel Owen (BA. MA. Oxon)