(Title Image: via Google Earth)
Later this week, a Bridgend Council scrutiny committee will be updated on an emergency action plan at Plasnewydd Primary School in Maesteg (pdf) – which has been in special measures since a critical Estyn report in January 2018.
A follow-up inspection report by Estyn was published in June 2019 (pdf), concluding that that while the school was making progress in some areas, it should remain in special measures for the time being.
A few weeks before the follow-up inspection, Bridgend Council placed a requirement on the school to send them weekly reports detailing how they were addressing concerns.
The concerns in the initial inspection relate to improving standards of teaching at Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6) – particularly in reading, writing and maths – challenging more-able pupils, improving standards of leadership and addressing what are described as safeguarding concerns.
Estyn has determined that some progress has been made, particularly in terms of safeguarding, improving the standards of teaching and providing a broader curriculum. Teachers were also said to be planning lessons more effectively and teachers were better able to monitor pupils’ performances – albeit with problems in determining which changes to teaching have had the best impact and continued problems with English and maths at Key Stage 2 and in challenging more-able pupils.
BCBC says the school will continue to receive intensive support until it’s deemed to no longer require special measures.
Plasnewydd is one of three English-medium primary schools in the valleys which are an ongoing cause for concern. Earlier this year, Ogmore Vale Primary was placed into special measures, while Tynyrheol Primary in Llangeinor was said to require “urgent improvements” at the end of 2018.
