Governing Body of Pen-y-bryn and Abercaseg Schools
Annual Report to Parents/Guardians
This report is presented on how the governors undertook their duties during the school year 2016-2017.
Since January 2017, Ysgol Abercaseg and Ysgol Pen-y-bryn have entered a federation agreement and from that date, there is one governing body for both schools. The Governing Body of both schools have held a consultation, with the County, with parents/guardians and with the pupils in order to decide if federation was the best decision for both schools future.
Sections of this report will discuss Ysgol Abercaseg and Ysgol Pen-y-bryn separately, during the Autumn Term , 2016 and the remainder of the report will be about both schools under a single governing body.
Autumn Term, 2016 Chair of Ysgol Abercaseg: Mr Rheinallt Puw, Cartrefle, Ffordd Pant, Bethesda, LL57 3PA
Clerk of Ysgol Abercaseg: Mrs Eirian Wynne, Cyngor Gwynedd, Caernarfon, LL55 1SH
Chair of Ysgol Pen-y-bryn: Mr Dylan Davies, Cae Bryn, Bethesda, LL57 3RD
Clerk of Ysgol Pen-y-bryn: Miss Laura Millican, Ysgol Pen-y-bryn, Bethesda, LL57 3BE
Spring Term and Summer term, 2017 Chair of Ysgol Pen-y-bryn and Abercaseg: Mrs Orina Pritchard, 7 Rhos y Nant, Bethesda, LL57 3PP
Clerk of Pen-y-bryn and Abercaseg schools: Miss Laura Millican, Ysgol Pen-y-bryn, Bethesda, LL57 3BE
Who were the Governors of Ysgol Abercaseg during the Autumn term of 2016?
Name Representing Date Term ends elected/Appointed Hedd Rhys Parents/guardians 09/14 12/16 Paul Painter Parents/guardians 09/15 12/16 Emma Pritchard Parents/guardians 09/13 12/16 Sioned Ryder Parents/guardians 09/13 12/16 Emyr Roberts Community 09/12 12/16 Orina Pritchard Community 09/15 12/16 Bryan Griffiths Community 09/13 12/16 Rheinallt Puw LEA 09/14 12/16 Ann Williams LEA 09/12 12/16 Linda Brown LEA 09/12 12/16 Gwilym Owen Community Council 09/13 12/16 Yvonne Griffith Teachers 09/15 12/16 Edwina Griffith Support Staff 09/15 12/16 Ceren Lloyd Headteacher - -
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Who were the Governors of Ysgol Pen-y-bryn during the Autumn term of 2016?
Name Representing Date Term ends elected/Appointed Jill Oliver Parents/guardians 09/14 08/18 Dylan Davies Parents/guardians 09/14 08/18 Cari Griffiths Parents/guardians 09/15 08/19 Gwyndaf Owen Parents/guardians 12/15 11/19 Eifion Rowlands Community 11/15 10/19 Marian Arman Community 09/16 08/20 Janet Jones Community 09/14 08/18 Elin Edwards LEA 09/14 08/18 Caren Brown LEA 12/12 11/16 Ann Williams LEA 08/16 07/20 Mary Jones Community Council 06/15 05/19 Ffion Jones Teachers 09/16 08/18 Caryl Griffiths Support Staff 09/16 08/18 Ceren Lloyd Headteacher - -
Who were the members of Ysgolion Pen-y-bryn ac Abercaseg Governing Body?
Name Representing Date Term ends elected/Appointed Cari Griffiths Parents/guardians 01/17 12/20 Gwyndaf Owen Parents/guardians 01/17 12/20 Manon Williams Parents/guardians 01/17 12/20 Emma Pritchard Parents/guardians 01/17 12/20 Marian Arman Community 01/17 12/20 Janet Jones Community 01/17 12/20 Orina Pritchard Community 01/17 12/20 Hedd Rhys Community 01/17 12/20 Mary Jones Community Council 01/17 12/20 Einir Williams LEA 01/17 12/20 Ann Williams LEA 01/17 12/20 Rheinallt Puw LEA 01/17 12/20 Linda Brown LEA 01/17 12/20 Ffion Jones Teachers 01/17 08/18 Yvonne Griffiths Teachers 01/17 08/18 Caryl Griffith Support Staff 01/17 08/18 Edwina Griffith Support Staff 01/17 08/18 Ceren Lloyd Headteacher 01/17 -
When will the next election for parent-governor be held?
An election will probably have to be held in December 2020 to appoint a parent-governor.
2 When did the governing bodies meet?
Ysgol Abercaseg: 05/10/2016, 30/11/2016
Ysgol Pen-y-bryn: 29/09/2016, 01/12/2016
Ysgolion Pen-y-bryn and Abercaseg: 12/01/2017, 17/01/2017, 29/03/2017, 06/07/2017
These meetings were alternately held between both schools.
What was the pupils and staffing situation?
Ysgol Abercaseg: There were 142 pupils on the register in September 2016. At the end of the school year, there were 144 on the register. 5 teachers were employed.
Ysgol Pen-y-bryn: There were 132 pupils on the register in September 2016. At the end of the school year, there were 135 on the register. 5 teachers were employed.
Terms and lessons
Ysgol Abercaseg: School lessons: 9:00-12:00 and 1:00-3:00. (Doors open at 8:50am)
Ysgol Pen-y-bryn: School lessons: 9:00-12:00 and 12:45-3:15. (Doors open at 8:50am)
Autumn term 2016 - September 1st – December 16th Autumn half-term 2016 - October 24th – October 28th Christmas Holidays 2016 - December 19th 2016 – January 2nd 2017 Spring Term 2017 - January 3rd – April 7th Spring half-term 2017 - February 20th – February 24th Easter holidays 2017 - April 10th – April 21st Summer Term 2017 - April 24th – July 21st May Day 2017 - May 1st Whitsun Half-term 2017 May 29th – June 2nd Summer Holidays 2017 - July 24th – August 31st
In addition to the above, the school was closed to pupils for five additional days for INSET: September 1st, September 2nd, October 31st, January 3rd and February 27th.
3 What happened regarding Additional Learning Needs (ALN)?
The schools implement a policy on trying to identify ALN as soon as possible during the pupil’s time at the school - contacting and consulting with parents/carers. Once needs have been identified, a programme and special plan will be created to assist the individual pupil with his/her problems. The plans will be reviewed with the parents/carers and staff each term.
The schools’ ALN co-ordinator (Mrs Yvonne Griffiths in Ysgol Abercaseg and Mrs Bethan Hughes in Ysgol Pen-y- bryn) received LEA training. Money devolved to schools and reserves were used to employ ALN assistants to target specific needs throughout the year. In addition, orders were placed for reading resources in both languages to use with the learners.
Designated Governors (Mrs Caren Brown during the autumn term of 2016 and Mrs Orina Pritchard during the spring and summer terms of 2017) are also responsible for the field and visited the school to discuss school procedures and systems. Any parent/guardian can see the detailed policy at the schools.
What is the school’s position regarding language?
Both schools have a Welsh Language and Welsh ethos. By the end of KS2, every pupil is expected to be wholly bilingual, in compliance with the County’s language policy. If a pupil attends the school unable to speak Welsh, they can attend Language Unit at Ysgol Maesincla for a term.
What was the school’s role in the community?
The school is very aware of its important role in the community and seeks to nurture links and contribute to activities at several levels. Here is a summary of last year’s activities.
Ysgol Abercaseg: the school was awarded Wales Healthy Schools Plan National Quality Award; competed at Eisteddfod Dyffryn Ogwen (home and stage work); visits by PC Meirion Williams; visit by Mr Alun Davies AM ( Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services) to observe school’s excellent practices with the Language Charter; fancy dress disco; held Family Signature session, a scheme to develop school-home links; part of ’Tipi Ni’ S4C programme, where some pupils were filmed in the area’s attractions; visits by Lori Ni; successful business links with Tesco; information presented to parents about ’Tric a Chlic’; held Urdd Art Club; Ogwen class received ’Kerbcraft’ training ; Open afternoon for parents/guardians of nursery class pupils was held; Educational trip for school governors; St David’s day celebrations, e.g. Dona Direidi opened Dreigiau Caseg’s entrepreunership fair; Yr. 1 and 2 saw historical artefacts from Storiel, Bangor; day to raise awareness of the importance of clean water (Water Aid), where everybody were dressed in blue;
4 Green Week, a week full of activities, e.g. ’design a hat’ competition; An afternoon to learn about Italy where Italian parents came to talk and various Italian foods were tasted; saw a show at Neuadd Ogwen; theatric presentation by Theatr Bara Caws; Road Safety Officer gave the pupils a presentation; Year 2 pupils visited Ysgol Pen-y-bryn more than once to familiarize; Students from Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen were on work experience; Educational visits, e.g. Oriel Môn; Yr. 2 farewell service.
Ysgol Pen-y-bryn: competed at Eisteddfod yffryn Ogwen (home and stage work); visits by PC Meirion Williams; a visit by Mr Alun Davies AM (Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services) to see the school’s excellent practices with the Language Charter; competed at Eisteddfod yr Urdd with the choir coming first throughout Wales; various Urdd activities; competed at area sports competitions; Halloween disco for pupils at the school organized by ‘Friends of the School’; group were on Radio Cymru as part of Aberfan disaster remembrance; close contact with Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen (work experience, visits etc); many succeeded with library reading competition; Urdd disco at Ysgol Tryfan, Bangor; visits by PC Meirion; the school was accredited with Stage 5 Gwynedd Healthy Schools Scheme; sponsored ‘dodgeball’ tournament, with the money going towards ‘British Heart Foundation’ and to assist Olympic and Paralympic athletes following a visit by Mrs Beverly Jones, a shotput thrower at Olympics 2012; saw Raslas Bach a Mawr, Bara Caws production at Pontio, Bangor; Christmas service held at Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen; MacMillan coffee morning; visit by Lori Ni; school trip for school governors; visits by school nurse to raise awareness of medical needs; visit by dentist to year 3 as part of the Smile Scheme and visits from Sarah Archer, the scheme co- ordinator; extremely successful Scholastic Books Fair; close contact with Ysgol Abercaseg – afternoon to meet parents/guardians; Christmassy venture fair with pupils planning, pricing and creating goods to sell during an afternoon; whole staff add to school website so that information on events are shared with parents and guardians; visit by Mr Maldwyn Pryse, ESTYN, to observe the school’s science and technology learning and teaching practices. He talked with staff and pupils, looked through plans and books and observed lessons; Cool Cymru fortnight where Wales and its history were celebrated and Welsh products was sold which were designed and prepared by the pupils; St David’s Day celebration concert held at Neuadd Ogwen; Groups of Yr 3 and 4 and Yr 5 and 6 competed in a national books quiz. One group came third; 5 visit by NSPCC; visit by Mrs Haf Llewelyn (author of Diffodd y Sêr) to learn about story of Hedd Wyn; weekend visit for Year 6 Urdd’s members to Glanllyn, Llanuwchllyn; Effectiveness Group taught pupils how to use the new Chromebooks; the school was awarded the Language Charter gold award following the School Council’s work promoting use of the Welsh language throughout the school; Techniquest held science workshops; school participated in the Criw Mentrus competition and got through to the final regional round; Dreigiau Doeth’s playground games cascaded throughout the school to promote the Welsh language; the school’s Eco Group planted flowers in front of the school; Curricular evening for parents was held where presentations were given on numeracy, healthy eating, internet safety, homework expectations and the school’s language work units; a sponsored walk was organised to fund raise towards school resources; Curricular visits, e.g. Mersey Maritime Museum, Oriel Môn, St Mary’s Church, Llanberis Slate Museum, Portmeirion and farewell service for the year 6 pupils.
What were the school’s main targets for 2016-2017 and how were they met?
PRIORITY 1: Further raise numeracy standards, focussing on improving pupils ability to interpret and solve problems
This has been implemented through:
sharing information and resources at staff meetings; detailed weekly planning with specific focus on mental arithmetic; staff attended training; maintaining use of thinking mats to encompass units of work; continuing to add to the mathematics/cross-curricular portfolios; whole school entrepreuership work units – Christmas and ‘Cool Cymru’; looking at mathematics books to ensure consistency and high standards; adapting plans to meet all Mathematics Programme of Study requirements; focusing on target groups providing appropriate support, e.g. Springboard; preparing Level 4 and Level 5 profile for catchment-area moderation; continuous assessment to identify individual requirements.
The impact was:
a positive response to the national tests; learners respond well to the target groups; almost all learners have made progress; percentage scoring >125 has increased in many of the years (with the National tests); end of Foundation Phase results: the percentage achieving Outcome 5+ is 93.9%, exceeding Gwynedd and Wales; end of Foundation Phase results: the percentage achieving Outcome 6+ stands at 57.6%, substantially exceeding Gwynedd and Wales; end of KS2 results: percentage achieving Level 4+ stands at 97.6%, exceeding Gwynedd and Wales; 6 end of KS2 results: percentage achieving Level 5+ stands at 64.3%, substantially exceeding Gwynedd and Wales.
PRIORITY 2: Further raise standards of literacy
This was implemented through:
scrutinising books and sharing ideas on methods of planning and response to work; units of language work carefully planned and step by step; target groups working with assistants to model and obtain the required support; developing higher reading skills throughout the school; providing parents with presentation on ‘Tric a Chlic’ to develop home school collaboration; developing the DEALl strategy at Ysgol Abercaseg, a method to assist parents with how to teach their children to read; using ‘10 minute reading’ at Ysgol Pen-y-bryn to develop learners reading outside the school; preparing Level 4 and Level 5 profile for catchment-area moderation; continuous assessment to identify individuals needs; learners responding to their work and that of their peers and appropriate time allocated to work improvement and development; working with various schools within the County to create and share reading activities (led by Ysgol Pen-y- bryn staff).
This led to:
learners creating extended written compositions of a high standard, with a large number being cross- curricular; an improvement in learners vocabulary, syntaxes and punctuation (follow Big Writing principles) and positive feedback from learners regarding activities; end of Foundation phase results with Welsh: the percentage who achieved Outcome 5+ stands at 93.9%, exceeding Gwynedd and Wales; end of Foundation Phase results with Welsh: percentage achieving Outcome 6+ stands at 60.6%, which is substantially exceeding Gwynedd and Wales; end of KS2 results in Welsh: percentage achieving Level 4+ at 100%, exceeding Gwynedd and Wales; end of KS2 results in Welsh: the percentage achieving Level 5+ at 69.0%, substantially above Gwynedd and Wales; end of KS2 results in English: the percentage achieving Level 4+ stands at 97.6%, exceeding Gwynedd and Wales; end of KS2 results in English: perecentage achieving Level 5+ is 64.3%, substantially exceeding Gwynedd and Wales.
7 PRIORITY 3: Further improve ITC skills throughout the school to ensure that all learners develop appropriate digital competence, in accordance with Digital Competence Framework requirements
This was implemented through:
staff of both schools developing e-Safety Policy and approved by the governors; developinging staff’s understanding of the new Digital Competence Framework; iPads put to excellent use; 60 Chromebooks bought for Ysgol Pen-y-bryn; created a Google Education account for every learner and Plant Pesda teach every class how to log in and use their account; Plant Pesda prepared a Home-School agreement in using Google Education and Hwb to ensure safe and correct use; effective use of the computers room; schemes of work contained various cross-curricular activities; much work done on personal safety on the internet and this strengthened by police education officer; ITC Club was held to develop year 3 pupils basic skills (Plant Pesda in charge of the club); ITC club at Ysgol Abercaseg, as well.
The impact was:
staff and learners now understand the Digital Competence Framework requirements; leaners confidently use variety of ITC equipment, e.g. iPads, PCs, Chromebooks; increase in higher levels in staff assessments, e.g. 47.6% have reached Level 5+ by the end of KS2; a broad range of cross-curricular work created on ITC resources; learners aware of audience requirements when planning and creating compositions; learners more aware of internet hazards and how to stay safe on-line.
PRIORITY 4: Implement schemes, projects, fields and activities that focus on learners well- being and narrowing the gap
This has been implemented through:
Ysgol Pen-y-bryn succeeding with Stage 5 of the Healthy Schools Scheme; Ysgol Abercaseg succeeding with Stage 6 of the Heathy Schools Scheme (The Quality Award); both schools accredited with Language Charter Gold Award; held a fortnight of activities to celebrate Wales and at the end of the work, and an afternoon of selling Welsh products created by the learners; Ysgol Abercaseg held a Family Signature session, a scheme to develop the school-home links; units of Fair Trade work were held at both schools; the school’s PSHE scheme ensure that the learners acquire a broad range of experiences and work; target group developed life skills, e.g. cookery, handling money etc; visitors came to talk with the learners to enhance their understanding; visits enhanced learners’ grasp of units of work and to develop interactive and social skills;
8 the deputy head was part of a working group to create Health and Well-being resources for the Foundation Phase and KS2 and these are used at both schools to implement plans; learners’ participation evident in the school’s work – Effectiveness Group, School Council, Sports Council, Green Group, Sgwad Syniadau, Bysedd Gwyrdd a Dreigiau Caseg; different pupil groups were responsible for developing various fields within the school; periods were time-tabled to enable co-ordinators to lead the various learner groups.
This led to:
focus on every pupil’s needs and requirements, e.g. being a member of a target group; basic and key skills developed; development in learners’ self-esteem and self-confidence, whilst developing their grasp of personal safety, personal hygiene, internet safety etc; the School Council/Dreigiau Doeth/Dreigiau Caseg promoted the Welsh language and the learners show pride in their language, their history and country; the Effectiveness Group developed strong ITC skills within the children; the Green Group/Bysedd Gwyrdd developed the school’s outside appearance; Sports Council promoted fitness during after school sports sessions and has organised a successful ‘dodgeball’ tournament.
PRIORITY 5: continue to improve the school’s leadership and management structures through developing staff and governors leadership and accountability roles
This was implemented through:
both schools entered a permanent federation agreement in January 2017; establishing a new Governing Body from January 2017 and everybody familiarize with their duties; headteacher equally shared her time between both schools; the deputies were in charge of the schools in the headteacher’s absence; the governors attended an education walk of both schools to see the standard of work and how staff plan to achieve those standards; non-contact periods were organised for teaching staff to plan, prepare and assess; non-contact periods time-tabled for the deputies to fulfil management duties; co-ordinators monitored their subjects and then prepared monitoring reports. These reports were presented to the rest of the staff and to the governors; specific staff led on pupils groups to achieve School Development Plan requirements (SDP); entire staff implemented the SDP requirements; assistants were responsible for their target groups’ progress and report to teaching staff to enable appropriate planning; staff attended training.
This has led to:
governors having a good grasp of expectations and how the schools implement plans and work; all staff accountable due to distributed leadership; everybody understanding their role and duties; all SDP requirements implemented; 9 co-ordinators identified excellence and areas requiring development.
Year Highlights
A visit by Mr Alun Davies AM (Minister with responsibility for Welsh, at the time) to observe excellent practices at Ysgol Abercaseg and Ysgol Pen-y-bryn with the Language Charter. In addition, Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn (leader of Gwynedd Council, at the time), Cllr Geraint Thomas (Cabinet member for education) and Mr Garem Jackson (Area Education Officer, at the time) came to see both schools’ hard work. The pupils gave presentations, the playground games were shown and the schools’ former-pupils (from Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen) came to talk about the work done in the past to promote the Welsh language. In addition, the comprehensive portfolios were shown to show all the work so far, e.g. Language Charter questionnaire data interpretation, pupils personal targets. It was a memorable morning.
Both schools celebrated Wales and St David’s day during ‘Cool Cymru’ week, which is a fortnight of activities to celebrate Wales and its history as part of Language Charter work. Dreigiau Caseg held a ‘Language Charter Fair’, whih was a unit of work where the learners developed entrepreunership skills. Year 2 pupils created a competition to instil pride towards the Welsh language and it was a success. At Ysgol Pen-y-bryn, every class learnt about the history of the Urdd, the story of protests for the language, the history of Tryweryn and that of Welsh heroes. Many visitors came to the school, visitors like Elwyn Hughes, Anni Llŷn, Tudur Phillips, Neil Maffia, Myrddin ap Dafydd and many more. The purpose of the entire work was to instil interest and pride in their language and in their country and history. In the middle of these lessons, the pupils planned, funded and created Welsh goods to sell during Fun Afternoon. The entire produce was sold and a good profit made.
Following hard work and an extremely thorough external assessment, Ysgol Abercaseg achieved the Quality Award for their work with the Healthy Schools Scheme. This is a national plan that looks at all health fields, from mental health to personal hygiene. The entire staff worked hard to ensure that the school met the plan’s numerous requirements and the pupils were a key part of the success. The scheme consist of six stages and the school has achieved the main award, that is highly commendable.
For the first time ever, Ysgol Pen-y-bryn competed in the Criw Mentrus competition. This is a competition to celebrate entrepreunership and is a national competition. The school has held entrepreunership activities twice a year for several years and the competition provided an opportunity to celebrate that. The school presented the entrepreuenership work that occurs during the Cwl Cymru week, when every pupil throughout the school does work on profit and costs and price items that they have created and then calculate the profit that they should make, using Excel spreadsheet. Four pupils were selected to represent the school and the crew went through to the final regional round. At Venue Cymru, Llandudno, a display was created of the school’s work and the four discussed their work with the adjudicators. They won the ‘Best Team’ award.
Ysgol Pen-y-bryn’s choir successfully went through to the Urdd Eisteddfod in Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr and won first prize through Wales. It was an amazing day and a performance to remember.
There was the usual enthusiastic competing at Eisteddfod Gadeiriol Dyffryn Ogwen in November 2016. Pupils achieved success in several competitions, and it was once again a pleasure to support the local eisteddfod.
Every pupil from year 2 to 6 participated in national reading and numeracy tests in May, 2017. The tests in accordance with the statutory requirements and there was a good response to them.
10 What were the end of key stages results?
Foundation Phase learners are expected to achieve Outcome 5 by the end of year 2 and KS 2 learners are expected to reach Level 4 by the end of year 6. The summer 2017 results for both schools are given below, compared to County and Wales results.
Outcome 5+ Outcome 6+ Ysgol Abercaseg Gwynedd Wales Ysgol Abercaseg Gwynedd Wales Welsh 93.9% 88.3% 90.9% 60.6% 40.7% 38.1% Mathematics 93.9% 90.3% 90.3% 57.6% 39.6% 38.7% Personal and Social 97.0% 95.3% 94.7% 87.9% 71.3% 61.3%
Level 4+ Level 5+ Ysgol Pen-y-bryn Gwynedd Wales Ysgol Pen-y-bryn Gwynedd Wales Welsh 100% 91.1% 91.6% 69.0% 43.8% 41.5% English 97.6% 93.2% 91.1% 64.3% 47.0% 44.7% Mathematics 97.6% 93.3% 91.6% 64.3% 51.2% 47.0% Science 97.6% 93.8% 92.2% 61.9% 51.2% 46.4%
Ysgol Abercaseg Foundation Phase Indicator in 2017 - 87.9% (The percentage who achieved five or better outcomes in a language, mathematics and personal and social)
Ysgol Pen-y-bryn Core Subjects Indicator in 2017 - 97.6% (The percentage who achieved level four or above in a language, mathematics and science.)
What are the schools targets for 2017-2018?
Ysgol Abercaseg Targets for 2018 (outcome 5 or above):
Welsh: 92.3% Mathematics: 92.3% Personal and Social Development: 92.3%.
Foundation Phase Indicator Target: 92.3%.
Ysgol Pen-y-bryn Targets for 2018 (level 4 or above):
Welsh: 95.0% English: 92.5% Mathematics: 97.5% Science: 97.5%
Core Subjects Indicator Target: 92.5%
Was pupils school attendance good?
We are pleased to state that pupil attendance was very satisfactory, especially at Ysgol Abercaseg. The figure for the past year is as follows:
Year Average :
Ysgol Abercaseg: 96.1%
Ysgol Pen-y-bryn: 95.6%
11 School Attendance Targets:
Ysgol Abercaseg Ysgol Pen-y-bryn 2017-2018 96.6% 96.0% 2018-2019 96.7% 96.1% 2019-2020 96.8% 96.2%
What are the school’s safety arrangements?
There are safety arrangements to follow at the schools and they are reviewed by Governors during the year.
Fire: regular fire drills are held at both schools, in various locations in the schools. All staff members have received training and implement fire drills and fire safety procedures. An outside agency hold annual fire extinguisher inspections. The emergency lighting is regularly tested.
Entrances: the schools’ entrances are protected by a digital lock and internal push barriers. Access can be gained to the schools through rining a bell at the main entrance. The schools’ grounds are protected by fences and gates.
Buildings: a Governors sub-panel annually inspect the school buildings and the Headteacher and deputies monitor their everyday safety, notifying the authorities of any hazards.
Equipment: an outside agency annually inspects PE equipment. An outside agency annually inspect all electrical equipment.
First Aid: two staff members from both schools are qualified First Aiders.
Toilets: there are toilet facilities for the boys, girls and staff at the schools. These are cleaned daily with resources added as required. At Ysgol Pen-y-bryn, there is a girls hygiene bin in one of the girls toilets.
What are the school’s promoting healthy eating arrangements?
Ysgol Abercaseg has reached Stage 6 of the Healthy Schools Scheme and has received Quality Award accreditation. Ysgol Pen-y-bryn has received the scheme’s Stage 5 accreditation and will be implementing the Stage 6 requirements during 2017-2018. This means that the schools implement all the scheme’s requirements to a high standard. Both schools have a food and fitness policy and the schools comply with the Government’s document requirements, ‘Appetite for Life’. The pupils are encouraged to have healthy packed lunches. Pupils are permitted to bring water bottles to drink during lessons and PE. They are allowed to bring fruits to eat during play time. There is a fruits shop at Ysgol Abercaseg. Their handbooks contain guidelines on healthy eating at the schools.
What arrangements are made for disabled pupils?
Steps are taken to facilitate disabled pupils access to full education. The school implements an accessibility action plan, if there is a need. There is a purpose built lift on Ysgol Abercaseg’s stairs.
12 What was the schools sporting achievements?
The school takes great pride in competing and contributing to the catchment-area sports activities:
‘Dragon sports’; football tournament; Urdd sports (cylch and regional); Bangor/Ogwen catchment-area sports; schools’ sports day (Ysgol Pen-y-bryn’s sports was held at Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen); Kick-it sports lessons; every class visited Plas Ffrancon for half a term; all pupils received a period of swimming lessons at Bangor swimming pool; lessons on ‘Water Safety’ were given to year 6 pupils at Bangor swimming pool; many successes in Urdd athletics, with some going through to North Wales regional games held at Eirias Park; rugby and cricket session held by Carwyn from Plas Ffrancon; outdoor activities by ‘Aiming High’; Urdd swimming gala.
Have changes been made to the school handbook?
No changes have been made to schools’ handbooks format, but information has been updated. The handbooks are distributed to every home and are available on the school website.
What steps have been taken following the last annual meeting?
No requests for a meeting were received.
What steps were taken to review school policies?
The following policies were reviewed and signed: e-Safety Policy, Charging Policy, Policy on Attendance and Punctuality, Child Protection Policy, Policy on Reasonable Force, Safeguarding Policy, Admissions Policy, Performance Management Policy and Health and Safety Policy.
What action should I take if I have concerns about an aspect of school life?
Immediately contact the Headteacher. She is always willing to listen to any concerns. Any governor may also be contacted, then he/she can draw the head teacher’s attention to the matter.
Finance
The budget was discussed in detail with the governors.
A copy of the budget is available at the school.
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We trust that you find this report of interest and of assistance to appreciate the Governors work.
Below are Gwynedd’s guidelines regarding parents/guardians meetings.
Thank you.
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For further information, visit https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Residents/Documents- Residents/Schools-and-learning-documents/Parent-Meetings-Guidelines.pdf
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