A HEADTEACHER who has led a school through challenges and struggles is to leave her post at the end of term.

Claire Armitstead, headteacher at Rhyl High School, has been appointed as director of Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL). The ASCL is the leading professional association and trade union for all school, college and trust leaders. They support and represent more than 25,000 leaders of primary, secondary and post-16 education from across the UK.

The school has managed a dramatic turnaround. Under Mrs Armitstead's leadership, Rhyl High School improved its results and come out of special measures;  The headteacher was appointed in January 2010. Estyn found "important shortcomings" in January 2009.

In its latest Estyn report, in 2022, Rhyl High was praised for ensuring the well-being of staff and pupils is of "highest priority" and the school’s curriculum offer was noted to be a "particular strength".

Speaking to the Journal, Claire said: "I’ve been at Rhyl High School for nearly 15 years and I’ve been so lucky to work with wonderful children and parents and a really dedicated staff and governing body.

"I’ll miss Rhyl High School, it’s been my heart and soul for a long time and we have had so many adventures together. I’m so proud to be associated with the school and I know it will go from strength to strength because it is such a special place to work."

In an email to parents and guardians on April 30, which has been shared with the Journal, Mrs Armitstead wrote: "Earlier this week I was appointed as the Director of ASCL Cymru, this will mean I will be leaving Rhyl High School at the end of this term.

"Rhyl High has been a huge part of my life for the last 15 years and I will miss it, the staff, children and our community deeply. 

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"I know, however, I am leaving it in good hands with my amazing team and outstanding governing body.

"My chair of governors, Mike Harris, will be beginning the recruitment process for my replacement shortly and I'm certain he will appoint an outstanding person for the job."

Last month, the Journal reported that Mrs Armitstead, along with staff and governors, have come up with a battleplan to keep moving forward amid "extreme" financial cuts. 

In order to survive, the school has examined areas such as cleaning and maintenance, exam invigilation, external college courses, replacing temporary staff, requests for less hours and holidays and ALN (Additional Learning Needs) provision.

The school has managed to protect all permanent teaching roles as well a behaviour and wellbeing teams and almost all permanent non-teaching positions.

The school has implemented a foodbank and expanded 'Wellbeing Rooms' as part of efforts to boost attendance and support pupils with mental health difficulties. These are to remain in place. Adjustments have also been made for children who struggle with routines, sleep routines and anxiety; pupils can come in a later / can be away from crowds.

In September 2023, the Journal reported that Mrs Armitstead had been offering “secondary expertise” to Christ the Word Catholic School.

The school was placed in special measures following an Estyn report published in July 2022; a core inspection had taken place two months earlier.