SECONDARY schools in Powys need to improve their standards and provide better support to the brightest pupils.

That is the verdict from Welsh schools inspectorate Estyn which has issued a critical report following an inspection at Powys County Council during the summer. It makes five recommendations to improve education in the county.

The body will now monitor the council’s schools service for improvement. The council is the only authority in Wales causing significant concern to Estyn.

It also recognises the support the council is offering its 95 schools that include 11 secondary schools and 80 primary schools but also highlighted the "significant concern" the authority’s work related to schools organisation is causing to schools.

Estyn also noted there has been some improvements since previous critical reports in 2007 and 2011.

The concerns are for school organisation, financial management, school governance and lack of action regarding schools spaces. It also recognised some secondary schools are performing well but said in many pupils, especially the most able, fail to sustain the good progress they achieve in early years settings and primary schools.

As well as the provision for pupils with special educational needs who may require extra support.

Estyn said that these issues affect school leadership, staffing structures, curriculum planning and staff morale and have given the authority five recommendations to help improve.

A spokesperson for Estyn said:  “The local authority has not made strong, sustainable improvements to address many of the shortcomings identified during previous inspections.

“Many of the issues remain areas of significant concern.

“Recommendations within the last two Estyn inspection reports continue to be areas of concern.

“In addition, the issues raised during this inspection are similar to those raised in two Wales Audit Office inspection reports issued in 2012 and 2017.”

Estyn also said over the last five years, too many schools were in a category of causing concern and too many schools continue to have high deficit balances.

The report goes on to say that councillors have been “reluctant” to take tough decision to reorganise schools, especially around post-16 (sixth form provision).

A review into this sector is due to start soon.

The report also highlights the loss of senior council officers in key roles.

Estyn said:  “Over the last three years, there has been a significant change in senior officers, including at chief executive, director and head of service levels.

“At the time of the inspection, further change in key senior education posts are forecast for the near future.

“The high proportion of significant personnel changes has affected the

continuity and delivery of action plans.”

The council has said the report will be used to strengthen the service.

Chief executive Dr Caroline Turner, said: “We have a good team in place to deliver the improvements that are necessary, We will be working with schools, and drawing on the resources of ERW, to ensure that we are able to quickly address the findings of Estyn’s report.

“We are committed to making the improvements that will enable the children and young people of Powys to achieve the education standards that will enable them to progress and succeed in life.”Local Democracy Reporter Elgan Hearn also contributed to this report.