ONE year after it joined a £20million school improvement project, Milford Haven School has been praised by the Welsh Government’s champion for Schools Challenge Cymru.

Professor Mel Ainscow CBE visited the school last week, and spoke to pupils, staff and Governors to see how the school has 'embraced the opportunity' of being a Pathways to Success school.

Last year, Milford Haven was one of 40 schools chosen to take part in the Schools Challenge Cymru programme, which aims to improve struggling schools, and tackle the links between deprivation and low attainment.

By being part of the programme, the school has received additional resources and expertise to help it make 'swift, sustainable improvement'.

Professor Ainscow said he was impressed with the journey the school had taken in raising attainment of all pupils especially those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, saying: “The school has moved things on with energy and pace.”

During his tour of the school, Professor Ainsow said he was particularly impressed with the strong sense of engagement amongst staff and students.

He said staff showed a clear sense of purpose and an enthusiasm for the changes that are being introduced, especially the professional learning activities.

He said pupils also praised the support they received from staff, adding that this was 'tremendous recognition of the efforts made by all working at the school'.

Headteacher Rod Francis said the school worked to improve leadership, strengthened classroom practices and worked well with local primary schools over the last year.

“The school will go from strength to strength next year and will further develop partnerships with other schools and be fully involved in moving knowledge around the system to benefit learners at Milford Haven and across ERW (Education Through Regional Working)," he added.

A detailed School Development Plan was agreed by Welsh Government in September 2014 and is being monitored by an Accelerated Improvement Board which includes the Headteacher, Chair of Governors, a representative from the local authority, a headteacher of a cluster primary and the School Challenge Cymru Adviser (SCCA).

In his role as Schools Challenge Cymru Champion, Professor Ainscow provides knowledge, expertise, quality assurance, challenge and support to the Schools Challenge Cymru initiative.