Schools in mid Wales need urgent improvements to site security, better leadership, and more pupil success, the national inspection body has found.

Estyn raised “significant concerns” about Powys council’s education services after an inspection in February, calling for “important school site security issues” to be “urgently addressed”.

Despite bringing in a new chief executive and director of education, Estyn said “leadership at all levels has had a limited impact on securing important improvements in education services or in improving outcomes for children and young people.”

Powys council “pledged to strengthen education services and improve outcomes for learners”, describing the report as “disappointing”.

Inspectors also highlighted concerns about the quality of support for schools and pupils with additional learning needs (ALN), and post 16 provision.

Inspections of secondary schools in Powys have been “poor over time”, Estyn added.

Since February 2021, Estyn has inspected three secondary schools and placed all of them into review, which means the inspectors re-visit them to check on improvement progress.

Primary schools have faired better over that period, but the county still has more primaries placed in follow-up measures than is usual across Wales.

Estyn says that there is positive work being done by early years education team, and also that there are more opportunities for pupils to access their education in Welsh.

On site security at schools, Estyn found that there has been investment to address a range of identified site management issues in targeted schools across Powys.

Despite this, inspectors said “when compared to other local authorities, a notably higher proportion of schools in Powys still have important site security issues that give cause for concern.”

Although Powys council often identifies these risks, inspectors added, too often they do not address them.

After security, Estyn made three more recommendations:

• Strengthen the quality and impact of leadership, including political leadership, at all levels
• Strengthen the quality of support and challenge to schools to improve outcomes for all learners, including those with ALN
• Work with partners to rapidly develop and implement a model for 16-19 education that is financially viable and sustainable, and meets the needs of all learners, and considers Welsh-medium and ALN provision

Powys council said it accepted the recommendations and would “double down to drive education improvements” with an action plan and monitoring.

Council leader James Gibson-Watt said: “We are committed to delivering exceptional education services that support our schools so that they can give our young people the best foundation for their future”.

“Despite the need for improvement, Estyn has recognised a number of positive areas such as our work to strengthen relationships and trust with our schools and our Welsh in education strategic plan.

He said the council would work with inspectors to make the improvements.

“By working with our schools and their governing bodies, I’m confident that we will deliver the necessary improvements and to ensure that we provide the education and opportunities the children and families of Powys deserve and expect.”