THE new headteacher of Llanidloes High School says he is looking forward to building on the school’s “splendid reputation”.

Father-of-six and Oxford graduate Daniel Owen who has strong family links to the Llanidloes area, joins Llanidloes High School following many years in secondary school senior leadership and as a challenge adviser and an Estyn inspector.

He said: “It is such a privilege to be joining one of the highest performing secondary schools in Wales. Pupils have achieved exceptionally well in their GCSEs in recent years.

“The school has outperformed Welsh Government’s modelled outcomes for five successive years in the number of pupils achieving five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English or Welsh and mathematics.

“Only a tiny handful of schools across the country have managed that feat.”

Speaking about the challenges ahead, Mr Owen said: “It is no secret that there is a funding crisis in secondary education in Powys.

“Many secondary schools carry budget deficits despite having already increased class sizes and reduced staffing.

“Our secondary schools have suffered from significant real terms cuts to their budgets for several successive years.

“We now have among the lowest funded secondary schools in the UK.

“I look forward to working closely with colleagues from the local authority who are working hard to address this significant issue.”

However, Mr Owen is encouraged that Llanidloes High School is enjoying a time of increasing pupil numbers.

“Parents clearly want their children to access the outstanding education on offer, the caring, disciplined ethos, and the best possible opportunities in later life.

“The school is well-deserving of its splendid reputation and I look forward to building on such a solid foundation.”

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