Anglesey secondary school in need of ‘significant improvement'
Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi, in Holyhead, was visited by the Welsh education inspectorate in February with a report published this month.
Catering for 843 pupils, 115 of whom are in sixth form, the school had not been inspected since 2017, according to Estyn.
Inspectors categorised the school as being in need of 'significant improvement' – Estyn will monitor the school's progress for the next 12 months.
The report praised the relationships between teachers and pupils, and said most pupils responded well to learning activities.
But there were examples of some pupils making little progress due to 'a lack of challenge, weak questioning, unclear learning objectives, and poor lesson planning.'
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Attendance was seen as a 'significant concern', with attendance rates 'well below pre-pandemic levels' and 'lower than those in similar schools'.
A summery of the report said: 'There is a palpable sense of community in Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi, where staff are dedicated to supporting pupils' well-being. This commitment is underpinned by the headteacher's vision of inclusivity and high expectations for pupils.
'Leaders have worked effectively to stabilise the school following operational challenges caused by RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete). However, leadership has not had sufficient impact on improving the quality of teaching and pupils' skills development.
'The school's provision for developing pupils' reading skills is too limited. More than a half of pupils have weak reading skills upon entry and do not make sufficient progress in this aspect over time.
'Many pupils apply basic mathematical concepts suitably, but they do not receive enough opportunities to develop these skills in subjects other than mathematics.
'The school has made notable progress in promoting the Welsh language. Pupils in the 'Uned Iaith' benefit from language immersion, while the newly introduced bilingual stream in Year 7 further strengthens the school's commitment to fostering a bilingual environment. In general, pupils learning Welsh as a second language make appropriate progress although they often lack confidence when speaking.
'Attendance is a significant concern. While there has been a slight improvement this academic year, attendance rates are well below pre-pandemic levels and lower than those in similar schools. A significant gap exists between the attendance of all pupils and those eligible for free school meals.
Estyn set out five recommendations to help the school continue to improve:
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