Caldicot School has been removed from the category requiring substantial improvement, almost two years following the appointment of the controversial figure nicknamed the head from hell.
Education watchdog Estyn concluded that Caldicot School demanded substantial improvement after a 2024 review carried out shortly after Alun Ebenezer took up the role of acting headteacher.
Estyn has now released findings from its most recent monitoring visit, undertaken prior to the Easter holiday, showing that Caldicot has made adequate advancement regarding the inspection recommendations and is being removed from the register of schools needing substantial improvement.
Before Mr Ebenezer’s appointment, the school faced industrial action by teachers in autumn 2023, with educators reporting that the former leadership had neglected to tackle verbal abuse and physical aggression directed at staff and fellow pupils by students.
Mr Ebenezer promptly introduced rigorous uniform enforcement, which included sending home female pupils whose skirts were deemed excessively short, leaving some distressed. Further actions comprised Saturday morning disciplinary sessions and summoning parents of troublesome pupils to the school.
The 2024 inspection report observed that staff morale and pupil conduct had enhanced.
The strict headteacher maintained there has been no relaxation of his approach or disciplinary expectations since assuming the role, although he described the school as now being a more positive environment.
He said that students are not miserably attending school. This structured approach has made them happier. They understand the conduct requirements and expectations when arriving at school, yet within this structure young people feel happier, safer, and are thriving, with pastoral support all working cohesively.
In communication to parents, Mr Ebenezer drew a comparison between the school and Narnia, the fictional realm from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, remarking that for years and years in Narnia it was winter never Christmas, but winter is over now.
He also recognised the support of staff, parents, learners, and the local authority, asserting that he is the least important person here.
Although initially appointed as acting head, Mr Ebenezer expressed uncertainty regarding his long-term intentions, noting that he needs to determine what works best for him, his family, and the entire school.
Estyn put forward five recommendations. One concerned a safeguarding issue considered completely resolved, while Monmouthshire County Council is handling a health and safety matter.
Further recommendations centred on strengthening leadership effectiveness, including the impact of assessment and development processes, improving provision for learners with additional learning requirements, raising attendance, developing pupil abilities, and addressing teaching deficiencies, particularly regarding assistance for pupils with lower ability levels.
Inspectors reported that staff have received guidance on planning progression approaches and working with learners, while initiatives to develop pupil abilities remain in preliminary stages. Advancement in reading, writing, and numeracy was recognised, though inspectors observed that in a small number of instances, teaching deficiencies lead to more restricted pupil development.
Overall attendance demonstrated slight enhancement in 2024-2025 compared to the previous year, though the pace of improvement trailed comparable schools. The attendance rate for pupils qualifying for free school meals has decreased over the previous three years. Unverified school figures indicate improved attendance this academic year, including for free school meal-eligible pupils, with mechanisms established to track and tackle attendance concerns.
The school’s specialist resource facility for pupils with additional learning requirements has similarly been restructured to better support those with more intricate and physical needs. Adjustments involve progress monitoring, though work on more focused interventions was described as being in early stages.