The grapevine suggests that Ysgol Brynhyfryd's January 2015 school inspection did not go well. The report is due for publication in early July. The education authority and school are bracing themselves for an "adequate" result. This is worse than the previous 2009 inspection. "Adequate" means "strengths outweigh areas for improvement". The 2009 inspection showed that Brynhyfryd was "good" (grade 2: good with no important shortcomings*). This adds to the disappointment of its recent "amber" cetagorisation.
The 2009 inspection was "short", as opposed to "standard" or "full". The type of inspection was based on past performance during the 2002 inspection and thereafter to 2009, and Estyn determined that, back then, Brynhyfryd required the rigours of neither a standard nor a full inspection, which was all to the good. It seems that in 2009 the school was able to hoodwink Estyn in some way and Estyn was unable to see through what some called the school's smoke and mirrors.
Based on the 2015 inspection, Brynhyfryd will likely require another within 18 months. This is both costly and time-consuming. Inspections detract from the normal business of the school as it deflects staff time and energy.
20 years ago, Brynhyfryd was the best school in North East Wales and the best of its type in Wales. Its sixth form performance bettered the public school opposite (Schola Ruthinensis).
But even then, even under the inspired leadership of John Ambrose to 1997, there is a feeling locally that the school has simply coasted and not set itself any ambitious targets for improvement. Too much it has relied upon the quality of its catchment, the sort of area that can return reasonable results without too much pushing from teaching staff.
The same leadership team was broadly in place since during the 2002, 2009 and 2015 inspections. It's an experienced group. The head was first appointed in September 2001.
So, what went wrong?
At this stage, till the report is published, we can only speculate that:
What of the future?
Schools tend to operate in cycles. We believe that Brynhyfryd has reached its nadir. Matters can only improve. And they will. As stated, the school catchment is still good and fertile, especially from the town and the villages to the east and north. The chief feeder primaries of Ysgolion Rhos Street a Phenbarras are both "good". The potential is still there in terms of both the area and teaching staff.
And there will shortly be an advertisement for a new head teacher. The present head, on secondment, has recently resigned and from September has a job elsewhere in Denbighshire. This change represents the best opportunity for improvement, because a new head will invariably result in new ideas and a change of direction. The ethos of a school is very much set by its head.
What's gone well...
... during Eleri Jones's tenure as head?
* Note that between the inspections Estyn has changed the way in which it grades schools, making comparison harder.
Excpected results
The 2009 inspection was "short", as opposed to "standard" or "full". The type of inspection was based on past performance during the 2002 inspection and thereafter to 2009, and Estyn determined that, back then, Brynhyfryd required the rigours of neither a standard nor a full inspection, which was all to the good. It seems that in 2009 the school was able to hoodwink Estyn in some way and Estyn was unable to see through what some called the school's smoke and mirrors.
Based on the 2015 inspection, Brynhyfryd will likely require another within 18 months. This is both costly and time-consuming. Inspections detract from the normal business of the school as it deflects staff time and energy.
20 years ago, Brynhyfryd was the best school in North East Wales and the best of its type in Wales. Its sixth form performance bettered the public school opposite (Schola Ruthinensis).
But even then, even under the inspired leadership of John Ambrose to 1997, there is a feeling locally that the school has simply coasted and not set itself any ambitious targets for improvement. Too much it has relied upon the quality of its catchment, the sort of area that can return reasonable results without too much pushing from teaching staff.
So, what went wrong?
At this stage, till the report is published, we can only speculate that:
- Bullying is not being adequately tackled
- Learning outcomes are targeted too much at the majority middle ground
- High achievers are not being stretched and lower achievers are disinclined to be encouraged
- There is some parental disillusion
- Discipline remains an issue—resulting in litter, problems with uniform, inappropriate use of headphones during classes, etc.
- The senior leadership team has weaknesses. Expect this area to be marked as "unsatisfactory", the bottom grade and one below "adequate"
- A lack of leadership support for ordinary staff results in jaded teachers. This will presumably reflect further on standards.
What of the future?
Schools tend to operate in cycles. We believe that Brynhyfryd has reached its nadir. Matters can only improve. And they will. As stated, the school catchment is still good and fertile, especially from the town and the villages to the east and north. The chief feeder primaries of Ysgolion Rhos Street a Phenbarras are both "good". The potential is still there in terms of both the area and teaching staff.
And there will shortly be an advertisement for a new head teacher. The present head, on secondment, has recently resigned and from September has a job elsewhere in Denbighshire. This change represents the best opportunity for improvement, because a new head will invariably result in new ideas and a change of direction. The ethos of a school is very much set by its head.
What's gone well...
... during Eleri Jones's tenure as head?
- Welsh ethos is now fully embedded within a truly bilingual school
- An impressive building programme saw a new block in 2004, an adult education centre in 2008, new refectory in 2009 and improvements to inside and outdoor sports facilities in 2013. These measures have extended learning areas and removed substandard accommodation
- Improvements in sixth form numbers
- Learning outcomes still good when compared to neighbouring schools
- Introduction of more vocational courses from 2009, including stronger partnerships with other providers
- Dyffryn Clwyd sixth form consortium, extending sixth form academic choice and retaining sixth formers within the school rather than FE college system
- Impressive university results.
* Note that between the inspections Estyn has changed the way in which it grades schools, making comparison harder.
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Brynhyfryd