THE school at the centre of controversy about alleged inappropriate behaviour by its head and the safety of pupils has produced an action plan to deal with its failings.

Ruthin School was criticised by Welsh Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, who states the school does not meet the required standards for pupils’ welfare, health and safety of pupils.

There has been extensive coverage in national and local press accusing the principal, 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.

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

Mrs Williams said: “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.”

In its response Ruthin school stated it welcomes the publication of the Estyn report today, following the recent publication of the Care Inspectorate of Wales report.

A spokesperson for Ruthin School said: “The School is determined to ensure all appropriate steps are taken to ensure its longevity is assured. In response to the Estyn report, the Council of Management produced a comprehensive action plan for how it proposes to address the shortcomings identified during the joint inspection at the School in November 2019, and other areas of improvement.

“We wish to be clear the school’s Council of Management has been working tirelessly to ensure both reports’ recommendations are implemented and has been carrying out a root and branch strategic review of its safeguarding governance and safeguarding arrangements, and that is continuing.

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

He said: “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.”

Clwyd West Assembly Member Darren Millar has called on the Welsh Education Minster to look at the regulations around independent schools following the safeguarding issues recently highlighted at a Denbighshire independent school.

He said: “ I do think that we need to look at the regulations around independent schools to strengthen the safeguarding arrangements and would urge you to consider expanding the Education Workforce Council's role, with a view to a discrete registration category for senior leaders in our independent schools, in order to ensure that they are fit and proper people.

“There has been a great deal of concern in my constituency, and I think it would be useful to have a statement on this subject as soon as possible.”