SEVEN schools in the Journal area have achieved the top ranking in the Welsh Government’s colour-coded rating scheme.

The system categorises schools as green, yellow, amber or red – depending on how well they are performing.

Schools that fall into the green category are judged to be performing strongly.

Those in the yellow category receive up to 10 days’ support; ‘amber’ schools will have up to 15 days and those in the red category up to 25 days.

Secondary and primary schools ranked green in the north Denbighshire are Christ Church Primary School, Rhyl; Ysgol Bryn Hedydd, Rhyl; Ysgol Emmanuel, Rhyl; Ysgol Llywelyn, Rhyl and Ysgol Esgob Morgan, St Asaph.

In Abergele, Ysgol Glan Gele achieved green as well as Ysgol y Foryd in Kinmel Bay.

Blessed Edward Jones High School, Rhyl, was ranked red for a second year whilst Ysgol Emrys Ap Iwan, in Abergele, which was was rated green as recently as 2016, also fell into the red.

Lee Cummins, headteacher at Emrys Ap Iwan, said: "Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan was delighted with the performance of learners last year with many of the key indicators being in the top 25 per cent of similar schools. We are equally pleased that our current Year 11 have already exceeded these results.

"The red category recognises the support given to ensure the performance of learners remains at this high level for a sustained period of time."

Prestatyn High School (PHS), graded amber last year, has moved into the yellow band.

Neil Foley, who took over as headteacher in 2016, said: “We worked tirelessly to improve in all areas and this has been acknowledged by the school moving from amber to yellow.”

Nicola Rowlands, acting head at Ysgol y Foryd which is green for the fourth year running, said: “We are extremely pleased to have been categorised as a ‘green’ school once again. Ysgol Y Foryd has an excellent of team of staff, a supportive governing body and an active PTA who all work extremely hard to make our school the wonderful place it is. Our pupils are given a broad range of learning experiences to equip them with the skills to become lifelong learners.

“We are proud of the pupils and what they achieve.”