Darland High School

Overview

Darland High School is described as a "caring learning community" with a "shared sense of purpose" and positive staff-pupil relationships. However, the report states that standards, teaching, and leadership are "Adequate and needs improvement," citing "too variable" achievement and insufficient impact on raising overall standards.

Strengths

• The school provides an "inclusive environment" where pupils with additional learning needs are "supported particularly well" and integrated into mainstream classes.
• Care, support, and guidance are rated "Good," with a "highly-structured nurturing environment" and effective use of external agencies.
• Pupils with additional learning needs "perform well in line with their abilities," and progress in Welsh language skills is identified as a strength.
• Staff "collaborate well towards common goals," and many pupils "enjoy school" and feel "safe and valued."

Areas to improve

• Leaders must "raise standards, particularly at key stage 4," including those of the more able pupils.
• The school needs to "improve attendance," which has a "negative impact on pupils’ progress and attainment."
• Leaders should "strengthen the quality of teaching" and "improve the quality and impact of self-evaluation and improvement planning."

Safeguarding

Safeguarding arrangements "meet requirements and give no cause for concern."