AN IMPROVED Estyn report has resulted in Denbigh High School no longer requiring special measures for the first time in five years.

The school, on Ruthin Road, was inspected in November 2016, when four recommendations for improvement were made.

But a follow-up visit by Wales’ education and training inspectorate in 2018 found that the school had made insufficient progress in those regards, and it was consequently put in special measures.

Estyn inspected the school again last month before filing a monitoring report which, published on July 20, stated that it has been removed from the list of schools requiring special measures.

The report, which can be viewed in full online, stated that Denbigh High School has made “sufficient progress in relation to the recommendations following the most recent core inspection”.

READ MORE:

Denbigh High School placed in special measures after failing to improve

Denbigh High School was said to have improved in all four of the recommended areas, which were as follows:

  • Raise standards at Key Stage Four, in particular for girls.
  • Improve behaviour and attendance.
  • Strengthen the quality of teaching and the provision for skills.
  • Strengthen leadership across the school, with a particular focus on the systems and arrangements to support pupil wellbeing.

Further extracts from the monitoring report read: “In lessons, a majority of pupils apply themselves diligently and develop their knowledge, skills and understanding appropriately.

“Recent improvements in literacy provision have resulted in around half of pupils now using inference and deduction independently to improve their understanding of texts.

“In addition, a majority of pupils now produce writing that is technically secure.”

The school’s new headteacher, Glen Williams, was commended for having “developed a clear and well understood vision for improving attendance and behaviour”.

Its new assistant headteacher, Daniel Wilde was also praised for overseeing the strengthening of the school’s pastoral team.

Estyn added: “The school has strengthened its provision for Welsh appropriately. This is starting to have a positive impact on their proficiency with and attitude to the Welsh language.

“After his appointment last September, the headteacher rapidly gained a secure understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for improvement.

“He addressed immediate priorities suitably whilst developing a long-term vision for the school that is well understood by most staff.

“He has provided clear strategic direction and has offered staff a well-considered balance of support and challenge.

“This has had a positive impact on staff morale and helped teachers and leaders to increase the pace of school improvement this year.”

Its governors were also described as being “highly committed supporters” of the school, and that they “provide senior leaders with helpful challenges”.

Denbigh High School responded to the report by thanking students, parents, staff and governors for their “collective dedication”.

A statement from the school read: “After six years of hard work to improve our school, our efforts have been recognised by the inspectorate.

“We could not have done this without the collective dedication of all our students, parents, staff, governors and everyone who has worked with us on our journey.

“We have had ups and downs along the way; we have lived through the best and worst of times, given the pandemic and really tragic events to befall members of our community. 

“We got through it together: anyone who has worked at, or attended, Denbigh High, knows what a unique and special family we are.”