A Breconshire primary school has been placed in special measures by Estyn following a disappointing recent inspection.

Llangors Church in Wales Primary School was inspected in October and will now need to draw up an action plan to show how it’s going to address the inspectorate’s recommendations.

The four recommendations made by Estyn were:

• Strengthen safeguarding procedures

• Strengthen leadership and governance to provide stability and strategic direction to the school and ensure coherence and cohesion across all aspects of its work

• Ensure that teaching enables all pupils to make the progress they could and should

• Ensure that robust evaluation processes result in clear improvements to the school’s provision and pupils’ outcomes

The inspectorate found that most pupils at the school behave well, attend regularly, and benefit from a caring, inclusive ethos. While the curriculum promotes diversity and global awareness, Estyn said the quality of teaching is inconsistent, with some lessons lacking challenge and over-directing pupils. The inspectorate also notes that leadership instability has disrupted monitoring, hindered staff cohesion, and affected clarity in safeguarding processes. Governors are committed but have been limited in holding leaders to account and ensuring robust financial management, they added.

The report and recommendations, which have been accepted by both the school and the council, will form the basis of a joint and detailed action plan to address key areas requiring improvement.

Council officers, the school and its governing body will work together to identify reasons for the inspection outcome and to deliver the improvements that are required.

Staff, pupils and parents will be fully supported during the improvement journey, the county council has said.

Members of NASUWT - The Teachers’ Union at the school took 11 days of discontinuous strike action through April, May and June.

Liz Griffiths, Chair of Governors at Llangors Church in Wales Primary School, said: “We are obviously disappointed with the outcome of the report, but we fully accept the findings and recommendations.

“There were many positive aspects identified in the report by the inspectors and we are determined to make the necessary changes to areas highlighted which will enable us to improve outcomes for all our learners.

“I want to reassure our whole school community that our improvement journey is already underway and we are fully committed to addressing these recommendations.

“Together with the council, we have already begun working on a detailed improvement plan to ensure that we make progress that will lead to improved outcomes for all our learners.”

Cllr Pete Roberts, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “This is extremely disappointing but not unexpected news.

“We fully recognise Estyn’s description of Llangors Church in Wales Primary School and the areas for improvement that they have identified. This inspection report gives clear guidance on what is needed to secure the necessary improvements.

“We will work closely with the school’s senior leaders to make this happen as we begin this improvement journey and address the recommendations put forward by Estyn.”

The full inspection report can be read here.