RUTHIN school, which has been at the centre of a storm of controversy about inappropriate behaviour by its head master, has been criticised by a Welsh Government Minister.

Welsh Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, in a written statement said Ruthin School does not meet the required standards for pupils’ welfare, health and safety of pupils.

The school has been the subject of unannounced inspections by Estyn, the Welsh schools’ watchdog and the Care Inspectorate Wales.

Mrs Williams wrote: “Estyn has concluded the school does not currently meet all the requirements of the Independent School Standards (Wales) Regulations 2003. In particular, it does not comply fully with the regulatory requirements relating to the welfare, health and safety of pupils.

“The Council of Management at the school has the responsibility to safeguard pupils and to promote the wellbeing of all members of the school community.

“Following the Estyn inspection, my officials presented the report to the Council of Management and at the same time requested that they produce an action plan to address the failings identified in the Estyn report.”

She added: “In the event an independent school does not act to safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are pupils in a way that Welsh Government and other bodies think is appropriate, the ultimate sanction would be to remove the school from the register of independent schools. This would mean the school could no longer offer full-time education.”

There has been extensive coverage in national and local press accusing the head master, Mr Toby Belfield, of sending inappropriate texts to pupils, and in particular one teenage girl who said the messages from him became so frequent that it had a serious impact on her mental health.

Llyr Gruffydd AM, commenting on Mrs Williams’ statement, said: “The statement confirms the school still doesn’t meet child safety standards, despite a succession of reports by both Estyn and Care Inspectorate Wales.

“Everybody concerned now needs to know how much longer this is going to go on, the minister hints at getting rid of the school’s principal and that is clearly necessary. But I’d go a step further and say that the Council of Management, which runs the school, also needs to step down.

“It is of huge concern that there is an ongoing risk to pupils and continuing uncertainty regarding the future of the school is not helping anyone – pupils, staff, parents and the wider community deserve more certainty. The minister mentions her ultimate sanction of closure, which is not something anyone wants to see happen, but that will become a very real option unless there is clear and decisive action by the school’s management.”