Bishop Gore earns rare accolade from Estyn

PUPILS at one of Wales’ top performing schools are celebrating a rare accolade from schools inspectorate Estyn this week.

Estyn has been so impressed with performance at Swansea’s Bishop Gore School that they’ve asked it to share some of the secrets of its success with other schools in Wales.

The invitation comes following the publication of the school’s latest Estyn report in which inspectors gave it the highest-possible ‘excellent’ rating for the second inspection in succession.

Inspectors highlighted how performance at GCSE level has been outstanding for the last four years and said that no child is left behind thanks to exceptional and effective standards of support for those with additional learning needs, those living in poverty or children from backgrounds where English or Welsh is not their first language.

They also praised head teacher Ryan Davies and his leadership team for creating a culture where everyone is challenged to improve and is supported to achieve outcomes for pupils that are well above expectations.

Inspectors said: “There is relentless focus upon success and enjoyment in learning, and the wellbeing of all pupils. These principles are at the core of the vision for the school and provide the strategic direction.”

And the report added: “Estyn will invite the school to prepare a written case study, describing the excellent practice identified during the inspection.”

Jen Raynor, Cabinet Member for Education at Swansea Council, said: “Bishop Gore thoroughly deserves this accolade from Estyn. Some of the pupils at Bishop Gore live in some of the most deprived areas of Wales, but the Estyn report notes how the support and guidance they receive at school enables them to achieve their potential.

“Pupil attainment is one of the council’s top priorities and the success story of pupils at Bishop Gore supported by staff, governors and parents is one which needs to be shared across Wales.”

Mr Davies, who has been head teacher at Bishop Gore for eight years, said he was pleased with the Estyn report which reflected well on the commitment and achievements of pupils, staff, governors and the wider community.

He said: “I am very proud that the work of the school community has been recognised in such a positive way by Estyn.

“Through our self-evaluation procedures, we had already identified our areas of strength and those which need to be developed and are now planning to improve still further.  This is an excellent school and the whole school community should be justifiably proud of the contents of this report.”