6 Mehefin 2025
Croeso
Croeso i flog Ysgol Uwchradd Castell Alun! We’re delighted to share a snapshot of the vibrant life here at school — from our glowing Estyn inspection report to the creative and sporting achievements of our amazing students. Whether it’s reaching new heights on Kilimanjaro, growing fresh produce in our school garden, or shining on the national arts stage, there’s always something to celebrate. This blog is your go-to place for the latest news, successes and stories from across our school community. Diolch for being part of the journey — we hope you enjoy reading!
Extremely Positive Estyn Report
We are pleased to share that Castell Alun High School recently received a most positive inspection report from Estyn, the education inspectorate for Wales.
Inspectors praised our welcoming and inclusive community, highlighting pupils’ exemplary behaviour and positive attitudes towards learning. They noted that “Most pupils behave exceptionally well and show particularly positive attitudes towards learning. Many pupils work diligently in lessons and show high levels of pride in their work.” Sixth form students were also praised for their independence and enthusiasm.
Our strong focus on pupil wellbeing, especially the careful support both academically and pastorally during the transition from primary to secondary school, was recognised as a key strength. The Welsh language and culture developed throughout the school was also commended. In recognition of the school’s excellence in these areas, inspectors selected Castell Alun as a national ‘spotlight’ school – showcasing its innovative approaches to promoting bilingualism and its outstanding transition arrangements that support pupils moving from primary to secondary education.
Attendance is above average for our country and continues to improve thanks to targeted support. Inspectors also commended our teachers for their subject knowledge and thoughtful lesson planning, writing “In the best lessons, teachers have high expectations, they question pupils expertly to encourage them to think deeply and inspire a love for the subject.” The report highlighted our effective anti-bullying measures, excellent support for pupils’ emotional and academic needs and a wide range of extra-curricular and leadership opportunities.
Castell Alun leadership was also recognised, especially the results of “important improvements to the work of the school” and Headteacher Colin Ellis was recognised for his “dynamic, passionate and sensitive leadership”, with staff and governors praised for their dedication to the school’s values of respect, determination, and honesty.
Committed to Improvement
The report included two recommendations:
Improve the consistency of teaching by sharing the best practice that exists within the school.
Strengthen the consistency and coordination of how pupils’ skills are progressively developed across subjects.
We are proud of our school community and remain committed to providing the best education and support for all our students.
A full copy of the report can be found on the Estyn website here.
Diolch yn fawr for your ongoing support.
Climbing for a Cause
We’re proud to share an inspiring story from one of our very own team members, Miss Lauren Robinson, here at Castell Alun!
This summer, Miss Robinson will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s tallest peak at 5,895m – all to raise vital funds for the Castell Alun Friends Association. Accompanied by her faithful four-legged training partner, ‘Socks’ the dog, she’s been clocking up the miles in preparation for the six-day trek taking place in July 2025.
In her own words:
“I care deeply about providing quality teaching and learning at our school. That’s why I’m taking on this challenge – to raise money in response to the significant budget cuts facing schools in Flintshire. Our students deserve the best, and the Friends Association helps ensure they get just that.”
The Castell Alun Friends Association plays a crucial role in supporting enriching opportunities and resources for our students – everything from extracurricular experiences to learning tools that go beyond the basics.
Every donation counts – and sharing the fundraiser helps even more. If you’re able to support this cause, it would mean the world to our school community.
The Go Fund Me Page is available here.
Diolch o galon / A heartfelt thank you for supporting this incredible effort!
School Council joins Young Flintshire Launch
Mr. Rasmussen and our dedicated Gardening Club volunteers have been busy nurturing our school garden — and it’s really starting to flourish!
We’re excited to share that strawberries, beans, peas, and tomatoes are now growing beautifully, with the first signs of this season’s harvest already appearing.
The garden is not only a space for growing food, but also for learning, wellbeing and teamwork. A huge thank you to everyone involved — we can’t wait to see (and taste!) what comes next.
Watch this space for more updates from the garden!
Creative Triumph
Castell Alun High School students showcased their artistic talents at the 2025 Urdd Eisteddfod art and craft competitions. Their dedication and creativity were evident across various categories, including 2D drawing, photography, comic strip creation and collage. Notably, Year 8 students Eira, Teddy and Ffion achieved a clean sweep in the 2D drawing category, securing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, with the winning pieces advancing to the national finals. A big thank you to Miss Whitehurst from the Art Department for her invaluable support in preparing the students for this success.
Sporting Updates
A huge congratulations to our finalists in the LTA Road to Wimbledon school competition!
Girls’ Winner: Lena (Year 8)
Girls’ Runner-Up: Bess (Year 7)
Boys’ Winner: Marcus (Year 8)
Boys’ Runner-Up: Will (Year 8)
We’re incredibly proud of all who took part. Their dedication, skill, and sportsmanship truly stood out on the court. Well done, everyone!
Llongyfarchiadau to our amazing Year 7/8 rugby team, who secured a dramatic victory in the RGC Bowl Semi Final! With a last-minute try, they edged past Ysgol Creuddyn in a thrilling 41-38 win to book their place in the final! An incredible performance full of determination and team spirit — we can’t wait to cheer you on in the final!
Upcoming Events
You can see our full range of upcoming events by heading over to our Events Calendar page.
In Closing
Thank you for reading! – Diolch am ddarllen! We’re incredibly proud of everything our students, staff, and wider school community continue to achieve together. Whether it’s academic excellence, creative expression, sporting success, or community action, Castell Alun is a school where everyone can thrive. Keep checking back for more updates, celebrations, and stories that showcase the heart of our school. As always, thank you for your continued support.
Safeguarding
If you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Officers: Mr Ellis, Mrs Davies or Mr Stewart. You can reach them via the School Office or by using our Contact Form.
2 thoughts on “School Blog (06/06/25)”
5 of your year 10 boys were part of the flintshire school boys team that recently won the Welsh schoolboys Cup. Would that be worthy of a mention in your blog?
Absolutely – that’s a fantastic achievement and definitely worthy of a mention! Please feel free to send any blog story submissions to main@castellalun.com and they’ll be passed on to the relevant staff for consideration. Diolch!