A SECONDARY school in Llangollen helps the majority of its pupils to progress with their education and "promotes a highly supportive community that respects diversity" – but must work to support more able pupils after its summer A*-A GCSE grades were "notably lower" than similar schools, the inspectorate for Wales has said.

Ysgol Dinas Brân was inspected by Estyn in November and told that it provides adequate education and support for the majority of pupils but needs to improve in a minority of areas.

Across the inspectorate's five inspection areas the Llangollen school was judged "adequate and needs improvement" in standards; teaching and learning experiences; and leadership and management.

It was judged "good" in wellbeing and attitudes to learning; and care, support and guidance.

“Adequate but needs improvement” ranks 3rd and “good” 4th in Estyn’s judgement scale of 1 to 5.

The report, published on Thursday, January 17 said pupils "make appropriate progress in the majority of lessons". It said that "many speak confidently and fluently in lessons" and "the majority have sound reading skills". They also "write with reasonable accuracy and show a sound understanding of grammar”.

It said “almost all pupils are polite and courteous to staff, peers and visitors” while “many pupils feel safe and they know who to turn to if they have any difficulties,” adding that pupils "enjoy and value the positive working relationship they have with their teachers".

The report said the school's "provision for care, support and guidance is characterised by the school’s motto ‘success through effort’" and that it "promotes a highly inclusive, supportive community that respects diversity".

It said "many pupils participate beneficially in a wide range of extra-curricular activities such as expressive arts workshops, the book club and the chess club”.

"A few pupils do not engage fully in their learning, talk too much in lessons and lose interest in their work," the report added.

At the end of year 11 "nearly all pupils" remain in education, employment or training.

The report said that the headteacher and other leading staff at the school have worked to improve school attendance, however “there has not been enough focus on improving the quality of teaching and assessment during this time”. It said opportunities to “develop pupils’ skills, in particular writing and thinking skills” as well as opportunities to work independently “underdeveloped”.

The report asked the school to raise its standards in this area, in particular writing and thinking, and to improve the quality of its teaching and assessment.

The report also said that "the proportion of pupils gaining five or more GCSEs or equivalent at grades A*-A has declined over the past four years, and in 2018 is notably lower than that in similar schools".

It said “leaders have had insufficient impact on the attainment of more able pupils” but "have identified accurately weaknesses in the school’s processes” and have recently introduced changes. "It is too early to evaluate the impact," the report added.

Mark Hatch, headteacher of Ysgol Dinas Brân, said: “We are happy that Estyn have picked up on a number of our key strengths at Ysgol Dinas Bran, in particular around the care, support and guidance provided to pupils and their well-being and attitudes to learning.

"Our aim at Dinas Bran is to continuously develop and improve standards, to provide the best opportunities for our young people and to be part of a thriving community.

"Whilst this report reflects our commitment and performance in these areas, we also recognise that there is always room for improvement and we will be working closely as a team to look at the recommendations to move the school forward in all aspects of our work."