Gungrog School strikes back

 

Inspectors criticised several areas of the school and ordered it to implement an action plan of improvements, but the report was blasted by parents who said they were satisfied with the levels of education that their children received.

 

And this week the school itself, which declined to comment at the time of the report, has broken its silence and has been critical the new inspection system and the negative publicity it generated as a result.

 

In a letter to mywelshpool from its head of governors, Annie Holloway, the school said it had received three inspections in six weeks which have shown the initial report was harsh and not a fair reflection on its levels of professionalism.

 

“The school inspection process, in its current form, is in its infancy and Gungrog was one of the guinea pigs in the system,” wrote Miss Holloway: “Schools in the future will learn from the early experiences of the few and be better prepared to jump through the inspection hoops.

 

“Gungrog has in fact, within a six week period, undergone three inspections under the new framework with its three key questions. Two inspections were carried out by Estyn, in the main school and one in the pre-school, with the third carried out by the Church, this section 50 inspection being a requirement of the Voluntary Controlled or the Aided Church Schools.

 

“The grading terminology of the new inspection system has been revised with a satisfactory grade being replaced with an adequate grade. The three inspections at Gungrog have resulted in the grading of three key questions being undertaken three times hence, nine grades. Gungrog has achieved seven good grades and two adequate or satisfactory grades.”

 

The letter went on to explain that Gungrog is an inclusive school with a happy environment for young children to learn and develop in.

 

“Staff remain committed to providing outstanding educational opportunities for the children, supported by the Governing body,” said Miss Holloway who added that the media negativity created by the report had been an “offence” to the school.

 

Last week, Powys County Council appointed a task team to work with the town's Maesydre Primary School following its disappointing Estyn report.