Special measures fears for school

A meeting is to take place between inspector and school governors.

An MP is calling for "reassurance" over fears that a secondary school could be placed in special measures by school inspectorate Estyn.

It is understood Estyn has recommended the move for Rhyl High School, in Denbighshire, meaning it is considered to be failing and needs close scrutiny.

Denbighshire council and Estyn have refused to comment, saying the full report will be published until January.

Chris Ruane, MP for the Vale of Clwyd, has called for clarity.

Although the results of the inspection are confidential, Mr Ruane called for them to be made public after a report in a local paper.

"There's a standard procedure, but that procedure has been broken here," he said.

"It's entered the public domain - and I think some reassurance needs to be given."

Strictly confidential

Mr Ruane praised additional funding that has been given to the school but said it was "too little, too late".

Denbighshire County Council said: "The county council is not in a position to comment because Estyn advise that all school inspection outcomes are strictly confidential until the report is published."

A meeting between the inspector and school governors will take place in mid December.

The only other secondary school in the town, Blessed Edward Jones, was taken out of 18 months of special measures in the summer, following a critical inspection at the end of 2006.

Denbighshire's education service as a whole was criticised in a report by schools inspector Estyn in September 2007.

It led to the ousting of former council leader Rhiannon Hughes after a vote of no confidence, and the assembly government setting up an Independent Recovery Board.