Christ the Word Catholic School in Rhyl continues to grapple with significant challenges, as an eighth inspection has revealed “insufficient progress” despite ongoing efforts and some noted improvements. This persistent finding underscores the complex journey facing this Rhyl education institution, which remains under the stringent oversight of special measures by Welsh education authorities.
The school was initially placed under special measures in mid-2022 following a critical report from Estyn, the Welsh education inspectorate. That initial assessment outlined five key recommendations for improvement, setting a clear, albeit challenging, pathway for the school’s recovery and development.
However, subsequent inspections, including the most recent Estyn report, have repeatedly concluded that the school has fallen short in adequately addressing these critical recommendations. The current finding marks the eighth instance where Estyn has identified a lack of sufficient headway in rectifying the deficiencies initially highlighted, raising concerns about the pace and effectiveness of the reform process for this school’s performance.
During its latest visit in June, Estyn officials honed in on two pivotal recommendations: enhancing leadership structures and fortifying the provision for developing pupils’ essential skills. Positive shifts were observed in leadership, with inspectors acknowledging a more defined structure and improvements in safeguarding culture and the suitability of the upper school curriculum at Christ the Word Catholic School.
Despite these strides, a significant leadership void persists, as the school still lacks a permanent headteacher. The current executive head, also leading Prestatyn High School, is expected to remain in a temporary capacity only until November, leaving uncertainty regarding long-term stability in the leadership of this Rhyl school under special measures.
The report also highlighted inconsistencies in the evaluation of improvement initiatives. While leaders are engaging in quality assurance activities, follow-up actions stemming from these assessments are often not specific enough, and crucially, their impact on educational standards and provision is not consistently evaluated, hindering effective strategic planning for school improvement within Wales education.
On the academic front, improvements in Welsh language provision were noted, with pupils beginning to use basic phrases and practice conversational skills. Yet, inspectors pointed out that teachers do not consistently plan for the development of Welsh skills. Furthermore, digital literacy among pupils was specifically identified as another vital area requiring immediate attention and improvement within the school’s curriculum and its overall school performance.
A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council acknowledged the gravity of the situation, confirming the school’s ongoing status in special measures. However, they emphasized that the report does indeed recognize “progress that has been made since the last inspection,” reiterating the council’s unwavering commitment, alongside partners, to continue supporting Christ the Word Catholic School in addressing all Estyn recommendations thoroughly and efficiently.
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