YSGOL Bro Hyddgen in Machynlleth has been praised by Powys County Council after an Estyn monitoring visit confirmed the school has made strong progress and will be removed from the category of schools requiring significant improvement.
The report highlights that the school has made sufficient progress against the recommendations from its previous inspection, marking an important milestone in its improvement journey and reflecting the commitment of leaders, staff and governors to securing better outcomes for learners.
Inspectors found that safeguarding arrangements are now secure and no longer a cause for concern, following close work between school leaders and Powys County Council to strengthen procedures and improve site security.
Estyn also recognised progress in several key areas, including greater consistency in teaching and classroom practice, stronger leadership and governance, improved planning to support literacy, numeracy and digital skills, and better attendance, with a continued focus on helping pupils attend regularly. The school has also strengthened its self-evaluation and improvement planning processes, helping leaders to identify priorities more clearly and drive continued improvement across the school.
Powys County Council has worked closely with the school throughout this period, supporting leaders, staff and governors as they deliver sustained improvements for learners and build confidence in the school’s future direction.
Cllr James Gibson-Watt, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “On behalf of Powys County Council, I would like to congratulate everyone at Ysgol Bro Hyddgen on the progress recognised in this Estyn report.
“This is an important milestone for the school and reflects the hard work and dedication of staff, leaders, governors and pupils.
“The progress made demonstrates what can be achieved through strong leadership, clear priorities and effective partnership working.
“We are pleased to see the school moving forward with confidence and putting in place the stronger systems needed to support ongoing improvement.
“Our learners in Powys deserve the best possible education, and this report shows the positive difference that shared commitment and focused support can make.”
The report also identifies areas where the school will continue its improvement journey, including further strengthening attendance, particularly for older pupils, and ensuring consistency in teaching and learning across all areas. Estyn recognises that important progress has already been made, and the school is well placed to build on this positive momentum and continue improving outcomes for all learners.
To view the full report, visit the Estyn website.
