TEACHERS have been told they must undergo extra training after inspectors highlighted 'serious weaknesses'.

Ysgol y Drindod, Gwersyllt, was told in the Estyn report that pupils in the mainstream school were not making as much progress as they should through their Key Stages, although the school's special needs unit, Y Canol, was described as 'completely outstanding'.

The school was judged over several criteria with a grading between one and five, with one being excellent and five being a failure. Ysgol y Drindod scored mainly fours.

Pupils' attitudes and the standard of care and support offered by teachers to pupils was highly rated, the failings showed up in classes that were inspected.

Underachievement at the school has remained almost unchanged since the last inspection in 1998.

However, Estyn did add that the school was 'already making good efforts to remedy the problems'.

There are 169 pupils at the school, including 29 at the special needs centre.

Staff, governors and Wrexham Council have agreed that key results have not been met and for the last 12 months have been working to improve the school's performance.

The school's chair of governors, Michael Cunnah, said: 'It is reassuring that the inspection team agreed with our own conclusions prior to the inspection taking place and the many recent initiatives put in place were applauded by them.

'The changes made in mainstream education will soon begin to show results.'

Merfyn Lloyd Jones, chief education officer said: 'The staff and governing body at the school are to be commended for their acknowledgement that they needed help and support.

'By working with the LEA they have been able to begin the improvement process and the inspectors have clearly acknowledged this in their report.

'Parents can be assured these improvements will continue to raise standards at the school.'