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Ysgol y Preseli School Inspection Report - October 2008
Musical celebrates Ysgol Y Preseli Centenary

 

 

 Ysgol y Preseli School Inspection Report - October 2008

 

An Estyn school inspection team, under the leadership of Registered Inspector, Mr Gwyn Thomas, conducted a general inspection of the work of the school during the week beginning 13th October 2008. The report was published on 15th December 2008.

The inspection found Ysgol y Preseli to be ‘a very good school with many outstanding features’.

A school inspection is based upon 7 key questions with grades from 1 (highest) to 5 (lowest) being awarded for each question. Ysgol y Preseli was awarded 7 grade 1’s, securing its place among the 30 or so secondary schools throughout Wales who have achieved the highest grade in all the 7 key questions.

Among the outstanding features were, ‘results in tests, statutory assessments and examinations’, ‘quality of teaching’, ‘the quality of care and support to all pupils by members of staff and support services’, ‘pastoral support by heads of year and form tutors’, ‘the quality of leadership within the school’, and ‘pupils’ bilingual skills’.

In addition the inspectors commented that ‘the quality of relationships between teachers and pupils is exceptionally good’, and that ‘support of high quality is provided for pupils with Special Educational Needs’. The governing body’s role as critical friend was found to be ‘highly effective’.

Pupils’ behaviour was said to be ‘exemplary’ and they found the school to be ‘a civilised community where pupils are courteous both within and outside the classroom’. Pupils also have ‘very positive attitudes towards their work’. The inspectors also commented on the very good extra-curricular provision and the ‘effective liaison with external agencies’.

Mr Martin Lloyd, the Headteacher, commented ‘I am very proud of this report and I wish to thank the pupils, all staff - teaching and non – teaching, parents, governors and the wider community for their contribution to the success of the school. The outstanding report is testimony to the power of teamwork’.

Tivy-Side (Monday January 19, 2009)

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 Musical celebrates Ysgol Y Preseli Centenary


Ysgol Y Preseli has been celebrating an important birthday lately; reaching fifty is a landmark event and the school staged an incredible show from the 18th to the 21st of April to denote this special occasion. Preseli’s productions always generate excitement and this time the stakes were high as Caryl Parry Jones and Ceri Wyn Jones had been commissioned to create an original show which would present the school’s fifty year history in an hour and a half slot.

 

The main storyline followed Siwan’s plight; a young woman in her twenties returning from London to North Pembrokeshire to attend her grandmother’s funeral. Martha Harries (Siwan’s grandmother) was introduced to us via flashbacks and her friends’ and family’s recollections of her. A strong character emerged; a woman who worked tirelessly for her community and was very supportive of the school. Despite the fact that this was a fictitious play, we all know characters like Martha Harries; those individuals who work for the common good without expecting any gratitude or glory in return.

One of this production’s main strengths was the wry humour, which is so characteristic of Ysgol Y Preseli’s pupils and the surrounding area. We were reminded, during the flashback to a 1950s post-war dance, of the need for a ferret to work hard to get its rabbit; conveying the message that a young Martha Harries should play hard to get and not give in to her suitor too quickly! This was certainly a well crafted play: in the course of revisiting the different decades of Martha’s life and the history of Ysgol Y Preseli we were involved in the discussion of issues which are still relevant in today’s Wales. Attitudes towards Welsh Language education were discussed during the flashback to the seventies and the initially unsuccessful campaign, at that time, to ensure the option of a Welsh Language education in North Pembrokeshire. Siwan’s dilemma of whether it would be possible to pursue her career if she returned to ‘Garreg Las’, her grandmother’s home, is also indicative of the way in which many young people have to leave their rural communities in order to find work.

The cast’s professionalism was very impressive; these school pupils danced, acted and sang expertly for an hour and a half without a break (whilst conveying the mood and attitudes across five decades). Quite an achievement! A production of this quality wouldn’t have looked out of place at Cardiff’s Millennium Centre. The success of this production is clearly due to the strong team of pupils, teachers and parents of Ysgol Y Preseli. An excellent theatrical experience; one which will stay with me for a long time. Congratulations Ysgol Y Preseli.

Jane Wyn (Wednesday May 6, 2009)