OPPOSITION councillors have called for the resignations of Torfaen council executive member for education and lifelong learning Cllr David Yeowell and Cwmbran High School head teacher Helen Coulson after the school was put into special measures.

Speaking at Full Council meeting on Tuesday, Cllr Jason O'Donnell asked the council whether the actions that were being taken following the school being put in to special measures would result in either Cwmbran High School's head teacher or Torfaen council executive member for education and lifelong learning resigning.

He said: “The leader in his opening remarks said that there were some immediate actions that were likely to be taken to help the school.

"Can anyone confirm if these immediate actions would result in the replacement of the head teacher and the replacement of the executive member for education?

"This failure is clearly down to leadership that has been able to fester since 2015.

"In 2015, the school was placed under what they called an 'adequate condition', with some significant areas for improvement.

"In 2017, that school had been judged not to have made enough progress.

"We find ourselves here in 2018 still having not made enough progress, which tells me that there has been a clear lack of leadership in enabling the school to be able to achieve its targets that it should have set."

Cllr O'Donnell's calls were echoed by St Dials councillor Elizabeth Haynes.

Cllr Haynes said: “It's a huge concern. This is the second time in three years that the school has been put in to special measures.

"It seems that lessons have not been learnt and people are not taking responsibility for their failure.

“I think the executive to achieve its targets that it should have set.”

Cllr O’Donnell’s calls were echoed by St Dials councillor Elizabeth Haynes.

Cllr Haynes said: “It’s a huge concern. This is the second time in three years that the school has been put in to special measures.

“It seems that lessons have not been learnt and people are not taking responsibility for their failure.

“I think the executive member’s position has become untenable and he should do the decent and honourable thing.

“I’m really concerned for the children. They are not getting the best education that Torfaen can offer.”

Independent group leader Cllr Ronald Burnett, Conservative Group Leader Cllr Raymond Mills and Independent Councillor Robert Kemp have joined the calls for both Cllr Yeowell and Mrs Coulson to resign following the school being put in to special measures.

Council leader Cllr Anthony Hunt said that the council would leave “no stone unturned” as they look to get the school back on track.

Speaking at a full council meeting on Tuesday,, he said: “Our job is to work with the head and her staff, governors, the Education Achievement Service (EAS) and others to support the school in making the progress that is needed.

“I can assure councillors, parents and pupils that we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts.

“We have been in direct contact with Estyn, the EAS and the school to discuss immediate next steps.”

Cllr Yeowell reiterated that the council will be doing everything they can to improve the fortunes of the school.

He said: “The council shares Estyn’s concerns over Cwmbran High’s performance and issued a statutory warning notice to the school last year.

“Since then we have provided additional support for the school and governing body, however, the pace of change has not been fast enough and it has failed to make adequate progress.

“We will continue to support the school during this difficult time and ensure that it is able to successfully carry out the improvements at the pace that is required.”

An open meeting for parents and carers will take place today on Wednesday, December 5 from 6pm to 7pm in the Upper School Hall.