In 2018, the BBC reported that staff at Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle in Penygroes, had contacted their Trade Unions - NASUWT, NEU and UCAC with concerns about how the school was being run. The statement from Gwynedd council insisting good progress was being made held no water with the staff who wanted to discuss their concerns with an 'independent' party.
The joint letter from the unions repeated previous concerns teaching staff had with the school's management. Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle was placed in special measures in 2015 which lasted until 2017 after 'robust' improvements had been made.
The BBC article from the 18th May, 2018 with the headline 'staff issue strike ballot threat' can be found here -https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-44165753
Sadly, issues with the school continue. A recent article published on the 7th October, 2020, by the Local Democracy reporter, Gareth Wyn-Williams, reports on an internal review commissioned by Cyngor Gwynedd council and compiled in February.
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/staff-morale-extremely-low-north-19061041?
From the Daily Post article headlined - Staff morale 'extremely low' at North Wales secondary school, damning report finds -
Despite an acceptance that general pupil behaviour had improved, the report revealed that some staff remained negative about "concerning" aspects relating to a "small core."
With staff confidence in the leadership of the headteacher "needing to be restored," it reported staff openly admitting they were "afraid of some pupils" with some feeling that Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle was "sometimes used as a dumping ground for troublesome pupils from other schools".
Among findings was that governors "did not have a firm grasp" of how the school was operating, with a danger of the body becoming "factionalised" into those who supported the headteacher and those who didn't, while also being "slow to act" on performance issues.
Many staff including the Head have been off sick for long absences which has simply added to the many problems the school has faced.
Whilst the school, the governors, the council, the GwE, tom cobley and all scramble to protect their own reputations, the well being of the children and their education for their futures appear to be last on the list of priorities.
Caernarfon has been an area of deprivation since forever. Millions of pounds has been thrown at the area by UK government(s), the Welsh Assembly and the European Union over the years but the people remain poor. Poor quality housing and high rents exacerbate the issues. In the 80's, heroin, poor wages and unemployment were the problem. Now it is cocaine, poor wages and unemployment..
The local children in the area suffer the consequences that such deprivation has on the mental health of their parents and the local communities yet the council pull youth clubs and support services and local businesses either close or reallocate. A vicious cycle over and over...
A 2018 FOI request revealed that 21% of the pupils at the school were recognised as having Additional Learning Needs. If the Head and staff are off sick what happens then ? How are these children being supported ?
Pupil Referral Units (PRU's) were until 2013 held in separate buildings away from school premises, now they are run on site within the schools. The PRU's in Gwynedd were highly regarded but closed due to the cuts imposed by the council. Have the closures lead to the dumping of these children back into schools who can not cope to the detriment of all ?
The figures for those recognised with ALN are even higher in other schools in Gwynedd.
ADYaCH Behaviour Support link for those who have an interest -
https://adyach.cymru/en/Parents/Services/Inclusion/Behaviour-Support/Behaviour-Support.aspx
The Behaviour Support Service seeks a positive change in the behaviour of young people who experience behavioural, emotional and social development difficulties. The aim is to improve behaviour and reduce the risk of exclusion from school.
