THE MS and MP for Vale of Clwyd have expressed their concerns about a school in Rhyl whose headteacher and deputy have been absent for six weeks.

The headteacher and deputy head at Christ the Word Catholic School, on Cefndy Road, were first confirmed as absent by Denbighshire County Council (DCC) on December 1, 2022.

The school’s website still lists its headteacher as Amanda Preston and deputy head as Joe White, as it did on December 1.

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James Davies, MP for Vale of Clwyd, urged Christ the Word to improve its level of communication with its pupils’ parents, with several having told the Journal they have heard little from the school regarding the absences.

Dr Davies said: “The situation at Christ the Word Catholic School is of concern. Having discussed the matter with the local authority, I am aware that the background is sensitive.

“I have, however, expressed my disappointment at the lack of communication over the matter and the need for its resolution as soon as possible, for the sake of all pupils.

“Staff at the school are to be commended for their resilience in the meantime.”

Last month, a parent told the Journal that, when pupils were sent home on November 25, 2022 due to a water shortage, this decision was not communicated to parents.

The school was put in special measures following an Estyn report published in July, after an inspection took place in May.

Neither Christ the Word nor DCC have said why the head and deputy are absent, or for how long they will not be in school.

Bernadette Thomas has taken on the role of acting headteacher at Christ the Word, meanwhile.

Gareth Davies, MS for Vale of Clwyd, said he is hopeful that improvements will soon transpire at the school, which opened in September 2019.

Mr Davies visited the school in October, after saying in July that he was “horrified” to read its Estyn report, adding that there appeared to be “failings on nearly all fronts”.

Mr Davies added: “It has been a very tumultuous time for the school since its formation a few years ago.

“But I’ve been encouraged by recent meetings with DCC education officers, who have ensured me that work is going on behind the scenes to rectify the long-standing culture issues.

“I hope progress can be made as soon as possible so that we can ensure the long-term health of this new facility.

“Pupils, parents, and teaching staff deserve stability after a long period of turbulence, and we need a well-functioning school to best secure the best education prospects for the children of Rhyl.”

If you are a parent of a pupil at Christ the Word Catholic School and would like to talk the Journal, feel free to email matthew.chandler@newsquest.co.uk.

DCC is due to present its response and plan of action to the Estyn report when its Performance Scrutiny Committee next meets on January 26.

It is expected to determine regular monitoring arrangements for the agreed actions to address the report’s recommendations, with a view to:

• Securing continual improvement in all aspects of the school’s work to ensure that all pupils are supported to achieve their full potential.

• Ensuring that the lessons learnt by all stakeholders are applied across all schools in Denbighshire as they introduce the new curriculum.

The £23million school caters for children between three and 16 years old, and replaced secondary school, Blessed Edward Jones Catholic School, and primary school, Ysgol Mair.

DCC declined to comment when approached, while attempts were also made to contact Christ the Word.

After confirming the absences of the head and deputy, DCC previously told the Journal: “Additional support is in place to ensure the continuation of education and support for the whole school community."