Haverfordwest High V.C. School is pleased to announce it has been removed from the list of schools requiring Estyn review.

The school was removed from the list in December, after inspectors decided that HHVCS had made appropriate progress towards the targets in place since the last core inspection.

Headteacher Jane Harries said: “The HHVCS team are delighted that staff dedication towards school targets have been reflected in the report. I would like to thank everyone for their support, including the hard work by governors, staff, students and our wider community. We are looking forward to continuing these high expectations as we continue on our exciting journey to the newly built school.”

The Estyn report stated; ‘Haverfordwest High V.C. School is judged to have made appropriate progress in respect of the key issues for action, and in developing the capacity to continue to bring about improvements. There will be no further monitoring activity in relation to this inspection’.

Here is a summary of the comments made by inspectors:

The school has refined its middle leader structure appropriately.
The school has strengthened the leadership of its provision for developing pupils’ skills.
A useful range of professional learning opportunities is having a positive impact on both the quality of teaching and middle leaders’ capacity to evaluate their provision accurately.
The pastoral team has been strengthened, allowing the school to monitor pupils’ attendance closely and put in place targeted interventions for vulnerable pupils.
A senior leader has taken on responsibility for the provision for pupils with ALN; this is having a positive impact on how the school supports these pupils.
This range of strategies overall is having a positive impact on the work of the school.

Paul Lucas, Chair of Governors, paid tribute to the Headteacher and staff for their dedication and commitment in addressing the original Estyn concerns and moving the school forward, particularly in such trying times.

“The news came as a splendid Christmas bonus for the school providing a good start to a New Year when we all look forward to settling into our new home with its superb educational facilities,” he said.

Steven Richards-Downes, Director for Education, said it was pleasing to see Haverfordwest High V.C. High School continuing to make good progress.

“The school’s staff, leadership team and governors are to be congratulated for continuing to focus on their inspection recommendations during this challenging time,” he said.

“I am confident that the school will go from strength to strength and we look forward to opening the school on its new site in September 2022.”

Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, added, “I too should like to thank the Headteacher, staff, governors and learners for all the hard work that has gone in to achieving this successful Estyn outcome.

“Going forward, HHVCS has established a good base for continued improvement in educational outcomes which should only be helped by the provision of a brand new school from September this year.”

In the new building, the pupils will enjoy an atrium space which acts as the meeting, dining and social gathering area. They will also have the use of the outstanding sports facilities including an eight-court sports hall, a floodlit 3G WRU standard rugby pitch and two multi-use games areas. The existing athletics track, all-weather pitch, tennis courts and grass pitches will also be accessed by all.

The school will move to the new site at Prendergast later this year taking its Google Reference school status which it was awarded in September 2021. Haverfordwest High V.C. School is one of only two secondary schools in the whole of Wales to have achieved this recognition. The school is now recognised on the Google Education Directory for its innovative use of Google Workspace across the whole school community.

Mrs Harries added: “We are very grateful for the continued support of the Tasker Milward and Picton Charity which has provided funding to purchase 600 chromebooks for pupils’ use during the school day, staff chromebooks, and chromebooks for personal use for all pupils eligible for free school meals during their time at HHVCS.

“We are all excited to experience the impact of the £48.7m investment as we move into the new site in September.

“For further details, please join us at our 6th form Open Evening on Thursday 3rd February.”