Council welcomes news about Estyn review

Powys County Council has welcomed confirmation that Ysgol Bro Caereinion has been removed from Estyn’s list of schools requiring review.

The decision will be of particular interest to families in the Newtown area, as a significant number of pupils from Newtown and surrounding communities attend the Welsh medium secondary school.

Estyn, the education and training inspectorate for Wales, judged that the school has made appropriate progress in addressing the key issues identified during its inspection. Inspectors also recognised the school’s improved capacity to continue driving further improvements.

Cllr James Gibson Watt, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said the outcome reflected sustained effort across the school community.

“This is very positive news for Ysgol Bro Caereinion and reflects the commitment and hard work of the headteacher, staff, governors, learners and the wider school community,” he said. “Their determination to make improvements has been clear, and this outcome is a testament to those efforts.”

While welcoming the progress made, the council said it would continue to work closely with the school as it builds on this momentum. This includes supporting the school’s development along the Welsh language continuum and preparing for the introduction of Trochi hwyr, or late immersion, from September 2026.

The council says this work will help ensure the school remains inclusive and accessible to all pupils, including those joining from English medium primary schools in areas such as Newtown.

“We look forward to building on this progress together and continuing to see the school improve and strive for the highest standards of education for our learners in Powys,” Cllr Gibson Watt added.

Ysgol Bro Caereinion serves a wide rural catchment across mid Powys, with many pupils travelling daily from Newtown and nearby communities.