Education Sector

Secondary

Close-up of a student’s hands adjusting the controls on a soundboard in a school radio studio.

Secondary

We celebrate the successes, highlight areas for improvement and focus on what’s important for learners in secondary schools.

Explore advice and resources created for those working in the secondary education sector.

More information about our work is available below.

Our approach

Three students in school uniforms diligently writing in their notebooks during a classroom activity

Ways to improve

Estyn are here to help you. Explore our vast wealth of improvement resources.

Poverty and disadvantage

Attendance

Featured Secondary resources

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Developing pupils’ speaking and listening skills through a bespoke whole school oracy framework supported by an explicitly taught behaviour curriculum.

The use of effective self-evaluation supported by robust monitoring, review and evaluation (MRE) processes to develop leadership and lead school improvement.

Thematic report - The additional learning needs system

Developing pupils’ understanding of the Welsh language and Welsh culture

The impact of professional learning on improving the quality of teaching in Radyr Comprehensive School

Thematic Report: Transition and pupil progression

Thematic Report: Developing pupils’ Welsh reading skills from 10-14 years of age

Resources and assessments to support the development of pupils’ numeracy skills

Creating a strong culture and appreciation of Welsh language and heritage.

Tackling the impact of poverty on educational attainment, including the development of the community school

Inspection guidance resources

These handbooks are valuable resources to gain insights into the standards and methodologies employed during inspections.

How we inspect What we inspect

Latest articles

Blog posts and news articles relating to the Secondary sector.

All articles

Estyn live: Developing pupils’ Welsh reading skills from 10-14 years of age

Estyn outlines sector challenges and successes in early insights report

Statement: The teaching of reading in Wales

Estyn highlights the need for stronger collaboration between primary and secondary schools to support pupil transition

Estyn highlights the importance of Welsh reading across the curriculum as negative impact of pandemic still affects standards

Youth attending the Estyn tent at the Urdd Eisteddfod 2024

Urdd Eisteddfod Maldwyn 2024

Pic (C) HUW JOHN, CARDIFF
Mandatory Byline - HUW JOHN, CARDIFF
pictureshuwjohn@gmail.com

29 February 2024

Estyn’s National Headteachers Conference, Cardiff - Pics (C) HUW JOHN

National Headteacher Conference 2024

Annual Report Launch 2024

Secondary school attendance rates post-pandemic are a concern, with lower income pupils disproportionally affected

Implementation of new additional learning needs system requires greater consistency and clearer guidance, report finds

Inspection and report schedule

Latest inspection reports

Cardiff Council 2025-01-09

Inspection report Fitzalan High School 2025 (English only)

Wrexham County Borough Council 2025-01-09

Inspection report Ysgol-Y-Grango 2025 (English only)

Wrexham County Borough Council 2025-01-09

Parents and carers - Inspection Report - Ysgol-Y-Grango 2025 (English only)

Cardiff Council 2025-01-09

Parents and carers - Inspection Report - Fitzalan High School 2025 (English only)

Monmouthshire County Council 2024-12-20

Inspection report Caldicot School 2024 (English only)

Vale of Glamorgan Council 2024-12-20

Interim visit letter Stanwell School 2024

See all inspection reports

Inspection schedule

Secondary 2025-01-15

St Joseph's Catholic and Anglican Secondary School

View the full inspection schedule

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