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Risca Comprehensive School has been put into special measures by schools inspectorate Estyn.

Following an inspection in September 2022, the school was told significant improvements were needed. However, after a follow-up visit in December 2023, Estyn said “insufficient progress” had been made.

Issues such as the school’s below-average attendance figures, and poor lesson planning, were highlighted in Estyn’s report.

The school’s headteacher has said work is being done to address these issues and implement Estyn’s recommendations.

Headteacher Martin Hulland, who was appointed just three months before the December 2023 visit, said Estyn’s findings had been “fully accepted” by the school’s leadership team and governing body.

In Estyn’s report, it said Mr Hulland has “created an interim leadership team and made a few changes to leaders’ roles and responsibilities, though it is too early to measure the impact of these developments”.

Before his appointment, Mr Hulland had led the two previous schools he was in charge of out of similar situations – and is confident he can do the same again.

Mr Hulland said: “I would like to assure the whole school community that our improvement journey is already underway and Estyn has recognised that some improvements have already been delivered since September.”

“This process will continue and will ensure that the school becomes much stronger and a genuinely high performing community school, providing opportunities and positive outcomes for all our pupils.”

Councillor Carol Andrews, who is Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet member for education, said “necessary support and advice” will be provided to “ensure that the school responds positively to this report”.

Cllr Andrews continued: “We are confident that the findings will be addressed fully by the dedicated leadership team at Risca Community Comprehensive School.”  

The school will be hosting Q&A sessions about the current situation at 5pm on January 22 and January 23, with parents invited to attend to discuss any concerns.