Minister impressed by Bangor school turnaround

Oct 23 2009 by Eryl Crump, Daily Post

EDUCATION minister Jane Hutt saw for herself the work done to turn around a failing school yesterday.

Ysgol Glancegin in Bangor was placed on special measures after a critical Estyn report in 2007.

Headteacher Bethan Jones was appointed in January 2008 and has worked tirelessly to improve standards at the school, which serves one of the largest housing estates in North Wales.

She said: “Staff morale was low and the first priority was to improve this sensitive issue. I discussed these issues with the staff and encouraged them to realise the problems could be resolved and that we could succeed.”

Miss Jones said special attention had been given to children with additional learning needs.

“Children were unable to learn because they had not been given the extra help they needed. As a result behaviour was a problem but this has now been worked on.”

Ms Hutt said she was impressed by the work she had seen and was pleased special measures had been lifted in March 2009.