School and Council commit to rapid improvement at Ysgol Harri Tudur

Pembrokeshire County Council acknowledges the findings of Estyn’s inspection of Ysgol Harri Tudur/Henry Tudor School, published following the December 2025 visit.

The report identifies a number of serious concerns in relation to leadership, safeguarding, teaching quality, pupil progress, attendance and curriculum planning. Estyn has therefore judged that the school requires special measures.

It is important to note the following strengths of the school:

• Staff work hard to create a caring, supportive atmosphere, and many pupils feel well supported and safe in school.

• The Supported Learning Centre (SLC) provides a valuable range of interventions that successfully support vulnerable pupils’ social and emotional needs.
• Staff in the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) build positive relationships and create a safe, supportive environment.
• The PSE curriculum is well‑coordinated and provides helpful guidance on relationships, identity, sexual health, empowerment, safety and respect.

• Pupils benefit from a wide range of leadership opportunities, including the school council and whole‑school Senedd.

Inspectors found that around half of pupils do not make sufficient progress, with many experiencing inconsistent or weak teaching, low expectations, and limited opportunities to develop key skills across the curriculum. Shortcomings in self‑evaluation, improvement planning, behaviour management, safeguarding guidance and staff accountability were also highlighted.

The report makes six key recommendations, including addressing safeguarding concerns, strengthening leadership and accountability, improving teaching and attendance, and ensuring pupils have meaningful opportunities to develop literacy, numeracy, digital and Welsh language skills across the curriculum.

Pembrokeshire County Council is working closely with the school to ensure that Estyn’s recommendations are actioned immediately. An accelerated improvement plan will now be put in place, supported by regular monitoring by Estyn every four to six months.

Cllr Guy Woodham Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said: “We take Estyn’s findings extremely seriously. The shortcomings identified - particularly in safeguarding, leadership, pupil progress and the consistency of teaching - are not acceptable for any of our learners  and need to be addressed as a matter of urgency by the school and with the support of the Local Authority.

“We are now putting in place a programme of rapid, decisive improvement at Ysgol Harri Tudur/Henry Tudor School. This will include strong, targeted support alongside firm and sustained challenge.

“Our commitment is clear: we will work relentlessly with the school’s leadership, governors and wider staff to ensure that learners receive the high‑quality education, care and aspiration they deserve.”

The Council will deploy enhanced school improvement support and leadership capacity. 

Working alongside the governors, and the leadership of the school, safeguarding procedures and staff guidance are being strengthened as a matter of urgency.

The implementation of robust monitoring, accountability and performance systems through our multi-agency improvement board is important whilst ensuring professional learning is sharply aligned to identified weaknesses.