AN elected representative has paid a visit to a Denbighshire secondary school.

Last week, Vale of Clwyd MS Gareth Davies went to Denbigh High School to meet the headteacher, Glen Williams. 

Mr Davies met with the Mr Williams to have a constructive discussion about the issues facing the school and what improvements are being made.

Denbigh High School has been in special measures since 2018 due to issues including behaviour and attendance amongst students.

However, Mr Davies was glad to hear that the school has been making positive progress in challenging times.

Additionally, the MS asked if the report on Additional Learning Needs, ALN, has made any impact on the improvements being made to the school.

READ MORE: Awesome outcomes at Denbigh High

Unfortunately, since the Covid-19 pandemic, the school has seen more behavioural and attendance issues and the expansion of ALN process is part of this. 

Mr Davies said: "It is a shame that behaviour and attendance of students is part of the reason why Denbigh High School was put into special measures, but it is positive that the headteacher is accepting of the school's shortcomings and working hard to make improvements.

"However, Covid has impacted absolutely everything in Wales and education was no exception.

"With our kids being in and out of school for two years, the discipline and routines that school gave them was missing and we are dealing with the impact of that.

"I am confident that Denbigh High will work hard to prevent this from impacting their improvements."

When asking what the school is doing to counter this, Mr Davies was made aware that due to the school's small size it does not have the financial ability to fully put in the support for ALN needs on the levels of other schools in the area.

He was encouraged to hear that over 20 students who joined the school mid-year had improved behaviour due to the systems that have been put in place.

During a tour of the school, Mr Davies was glad to see that students with additional needs were being respected due to the school gaining funding for a sensory room.

He was also encouraged to hear that teachers' tolerance of certain behaviours is different to what it was a few years ago due to recognition of differing needs.

However, he was was downhearted to hear that the school's art and science rooms have not been remodelled since the 1970s and the school.

"Despite the school being awarded funding for a sensory room, it is sad to hear that other vital facilities are not receiving appropriate funding such as science rooms," he added.

"It is unfair on students to be taught in classrooms that were probably exactly the same when some of their parents may have been in that school.

"I will push for the local authority and Welsh Government to improve the school and ensure that it has the resources to be able to get out of special measures."