Denbighshire pupils are missing out on bilingual opportunities

Jun 10 2009 by Andrew Davies, Denbigh Visitor

CHILDREN are missing out because of inconsistent Welsh language teaching in some Denbighshire schools.

Inspectors have raised concerns about the development of pupils whose first language is English, saying opportunities to reinforce bilingualism were being missed.

A report into the provision of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development (SMSC) and Religious Education was carried out at Borthyn VC School in Ruthin, Ysgol Bro Famau, Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ruthin, Rhyl High School, and Ysgol Mair in Rhyl.

Analysing the results of recent Estyn inspections between May 2008 and February 2009, Denbighshire’s inspector/ advisor of religious education Gavin Craigen highlighted key issues.

The report says of Borthyn VC School: “Good opportunities to reinforce pupils’ bilingualism are being missed.”

About Ysgol Mair, it adds: “The school’s provision for the promotion of pupils’ bilingual skills and their use of Welsh during school routine is limited.”

Ysgol Brynhyfryd was found to have “significant shortcomings” in daily acts of collective worship by failing to comply with statutory requirement, as does Rhyl High School.

In many cases good features outweigh the flaws with religious education being praised as well as areas regarding extra-curricular activities, pupil progress, Personal Social Education provision, global citizenship, and sustainable development.

Rhyl High School was commended for “providing a range of enrichment experiences for its pupils”.

All five schools were said to have made “good progress” in developing key skills.

This week, members of SACRE, the council’s religious education advisory body, were given exam results presentations from heads of five secondary schools – Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School in Rhyl, Denbigh High School, Prestatyn High School, Ysgol Glan Clwyd in St Asaph, and Rhyl High School.

GCSE short course religious studies results were described as “disappointing and do not follow the trend in Wales as a whole”.

A report says: “It is a concern to members of SACRE that these results are not as in other authorities, and that for some schools it appears that the entry is made up of largely lower ability candidates, affecting the overall results.”