THE number of Powys secondary schools in special measures or being monitored by inspectors is of "extreme concern" to a council committee.
Powys council’s scrutiny group told the authority’s cabinet that of seven secondary schools in Wales in special measures three are in Powys and some of the county’s pupils are being denied the chance to achieve their full potential.
Brecon, Builth Wells and Llandrindod high schools have all been placed in the category by school inspectors Estyn.
The inspection body is also monitoring standards at Newtown and Caereinion high schools in Montgomeryshire.
A report prepared by the scrutiny group said: "The position of three Powys secondary schools in special measures and two in Estyn monitoring is of extreme concern to scrutiny."
The group, chaired by Cllr David Jones, has told the cabinet member for education, Cllr Arwel Jones, to ensure "rapid and sustained improvement" in the under-performing schools.
It has also recommend he assures the cabinet that ERW, the consortium of local authorities that is supposed to raise school standards, is providing the "appropriate level of support and challenge to Powys schools" and he is kept in the loop on schools causing concern.
The council’s One Powys Plan policy document identifies supporting all children and young people to achieve their full potential as a priority.
The report concluded: "It is apparent that there is far from equal access to the One Powys Plan priority for many pupils. Cabinet are urged to take the appropriate action to ensure that the education provided to all the pupils of Powys is of the highest standard and that where it is apparent that these standards are falling short then appropriate action within the powers available to the LA (local authority) be taken to address this."
The group said Cllr Arwel Jones should also provide assurance that school governing bodies provide the appropriate level of support and challenge to their individual school.
Cllr David Jones, who is the chair of the people scrutiny committee and the leader of the education scrutiny group, said: "A priority in the One Powys Plan is that all children and young people are supported to achieve their full potential. However, during the work of the education scrutiny group, it was apparent that this is not the case.
"Schools are facing major challenges and these must be addressed for the sake of our young learners. Cabinet must take the appropriate action to ensure that education provided to all the pupils in Powys is of the highest standard and where standards are falling short then they must take appropriate action to address this."
Cabinet member for education, Cllr Arwel Jones said: "I welcome this report and would like to thank the group for their work in challenging schools, governing bodies and the school improvement service on their performance and standards.
"We are committed to ensuring that our young learners have access to the highest quality of education possible. To do this we must ensure that our education settings are affordable and sustainable.
"We must take decisive action to modernise our education system and some difficult decisions will need to be taken to provide the highest quality of education of our young learners. The views of the education scrutiny group will be vital as we look to improve the learning environments for the children and young people in Powys."