A high school in Barry has been placed under special measures, one mother said the school is too dangerous to send her son into school due to the number of fights taking place.

Barry’s Pencoedtre High School was heavily criticised following a recent Estyn inspection which found ‘pupil attendance is a significant cause for concern and leaders lack a comprehensive understanding of the issues affecting attendance.’

The school was condemned further that ‘pupils produce relatively little written work’ and the bad of behaviour of some pupils is affecting their progress and others.

The report highlighted that leaders need to ‘improve strategic leadership and accountability at all levels, including the school’s approach to self-evaluation and improvement planning.’

Barry And District News: Outside the high schoolOutside the high school (Image: Newsquest)

Outside the high school. 

Inspectors acknowledged that there is a ‘positive culture of supporting pupils’ well-being at Pencoedtre High School’ and an extensive range of provision to support pupils’ needs and address a range of issues.’

One concerned mum who wished to stay anonymous said: “My son counted 15 fights at lunch time, the head was heard telling children the school will get closed if they don't stop fighting.

“Friday there were multiple fights, they just don't have control of the children, I feel like I'm sending my son into the lion’s den everyday, so I've decided I won't be sending him in until something is done about it. 

“All but 4 of my sons’ teachers are supply teachers most of which don’t have a clue where the children are in the school year in terms on learning, he is falling behind due to the fact they just don't have the staff to teach them properly. 

“The report was spot on. That school is awful, I cannot believe they are able to get away with the things they get away with.

“I have kept my son home from school today because its just too dangerous in there.”

Pencoedtre High School, Barry opened in 2018 and the current headteacher has been in charge since 2020.

The school currently has 993 pupils, 80 of which are in sixth form.

It’s leadership and management were blasted as being ‘disorganised and lack clarity’ but the headteacher was acknowledged as being ‘supportive of staff and pupils.’

Etsyn’s report concluded that the school has ‘refreshed their priorities and are now focused on improving standards.’

However there ‘remains a lack of strategic approach to improving other important areas of the school’s work. These include teaching, assessment and the provision for skills, processes to monitor attendance, the co-ordination of ALN and inclusion, and developing leadership at all levels.’

Pencoedtre High School were approached for comment.