A primary school in Bridgend is being removed from special measures having been judged by inspectors to be making sufficient progress.
Tynyrheol Primary in Llangeinor entered special measures following an inspection in June 2018.
At the time the report highlighted under achievement, poor budgeting, unsatisfactory teaching, and falling attendance.
But following an inspection in November inspectors said the school’s leaders have worked strategically to secure notable improvements in the standard of teaching and learning experiences at the school and they are developing “a culture of high expectations”.
The report states: “At the time of the core inspection in June 2018 and in the academic year that followed the school had a temporary leadership team.
“Since September 2019 the school has seconded a new leadership team – this consists of an acting head teacher and an acting deputy head teacher.
“They have continued to build successfully on the foundations laid by the school’s previous temporary leadership team.
“They have worked well with the school’s pupils, staff, governors and a challenge adviser to ensure continuity in the school’s improvement work.
“This sensitive approach has provided valuable stability to the school community in a time of continuing change. It also supports a developing culture of teamwork among staff.”
In addition to changes of leadership and teaching staff the school has reduced the number of classes from four to two.
There is now one foundation phase class and one class for pupils in key stage two.
Inspectors state in their report that as a result of falling pupil numbers and for financial reasons governors have also reduced the number of teaching staff.
Speaking at a Bridgend council meeting on Tuesday, December 17, education officers said there would be no further monitoring visits at the school in relation to the inspection.
Council leader Huw David said: “Tynyrheol Primary has been through a very difficult period. Having recently visited the school we can certainly see the difference the new leadership team has made and the outcomes now being delivered there are really encouraging.”
The primary school was saved from closure five years ago after a high-profile campaign by parents ended with a judicial review in their favour.
