Newtown High School

Engaging with Higher Apprenticeships has helped Newtown High School to move out of special measures by improving leadership and management, teaching and learning standards.

The school, which has 1,200 pupils, was put into special measures following an  Estyn inspection  in 2015 when weaknesses were identified in leadership and management, self-assessment and overall planning for continuous improvement.

To address these issues, 18 staff members have either completed or are working towards a Higher Apprenticeship (Levels 4 and 5) in Leadership and Management delivered by Cardiff-based training provider Portal Training.

Standards have improved across the school, which was removed from special measures last October. It has moved from the bottom 25% to the top 25% in Wales for attendance within a year.