LLANFOIST FAWR PRIMARY SCHOOL

Governors’ Annual Report to Parents 2018/2019

Issued January 2020

We are writing on behalf of the Governing Body of the Federation of Llanfoist Fawr and Llanfihangel Crucorney Primary Schools to introduce and report on the work of the school governors. This year has seen some big changes to both schools. The governors would like to thank Mr Jon Murphy, our former executive headteacher, who paved the way for our school federation to come into being. Mr Murphy retired in August 2019 and we were delighted to welcome Mr Stewart Davies to the school. Mr Davies has been busy working across both schools to make sure that he is available to all of our pupils, parents and staff. If you haven’t been able to see him in the playground yet, please do say hello. The other big change we had this year was the creation of a single governing body to cover the federation. Our two previous chairpersons, Mr Rob Barnes and Mr Mark Egerton, took the opportunity to stand down and we would like to thank them both on behalf all of the new governors for their many years of hard work and dedication to both schools. The academic year 2018 /19 was another busy one for us here at Llanfoist Fawr. As staff continued to engage with the changes being made to the curriculum delivered in Wales, many exciting opportunities presented themselves for our learners. Visits to destinations like Raglan Castle, Caerphilly Castle, Hilston Park and London provided authentic learning experiences outside of the classroom and groups also utilised more local resources, by river dipping and orienteering in Castle Meadow, swimming at Abergavenny Leisure Centre and walking the cycle path, canal and Blorenge. Several external agencies continue to work with the school, with all year groups enjoying time with Upbeat Music or the Gwent Music Service. We also continue to enjoy a healthy working relationship with Cardiff Metropolitan University and we remain a Lead Alliance School. As an organisation, we are proud to have been part of several nationally recognised initiatives, from our Lead Creative Schools Project, which had a coding focus, through to the Playmakers scheme, giving children the opportunity to engage with a variety of different physical activities and meet peers from across the Abergavenny Cluster of schools. On the theme of physical activity, the school also celebrated 1st place in the Abergavenny Schools Cross Country, 1st place in the Swimming Gala and Rotary Swimathon and 2nd place in the Abergavenny Schools Football competition. It has been very pleasing that the excellent work going on here at Llanfoist, has also been recognised by several external bodies. These bodies included other schools, in particular through the Peer Review process and an international visit from some Danish colleagues and an award from the Skill Force Organisation, recognising outstanding contribution to the Prince William Award.

This report sets out the achievements of the Llanfoist Fawr Primary School over the past academic year and also includes updates for the present academic year.

Rich Corken Chair of the Federation of Llanfoist Fawr Primary School and Llanvihangel Crucorney Primary School Governing Body

2 School Governors 2018/2019 Start End

Chair of Governors Rich Corken (LA) 02/09/19 01/09/23

Vice-chair Liz Blakemore (LA) 02/09/19 01/09/23

Headteacher Stewart Davies 02/09/19 01/09/23

Community reps appointed by the GB Emma Decker- 13/11/19 12/11/23 Thomas

Alison Hobby 16/10/19 15/10/23

Mike Gorell 16/10/19 15/10/23

Community council Gerald Cooper 02/09/19 01/09/23

LA representatives Mark Davies 02/09/19 01/09/23

David Jones 02/09/19 01/09/23

Parent representatives David Hancock 26/09/19 25/09/23

Cressida Murphy 17/09/19 16/09/23

Marie Louise 17/09/19 16/09/23 Palmer

Alistair Stephens 26/09/19 25/09/23

Staff Elected representative Rebecca Jones 02/09/19 01/09/23

Suzanne Tew 02/09/19 01/09/23

Teacher Elected representative Chris Davies 02/09/19 01/09/23

Cheryl Evans 02/09/19 01/09/23

Clerk: EAS, Tredomen Gateway, Ystrad Mynach CF82 7EH

Election of Governors / Meeting with parents When a vacancy arises on the governing body for a parent representative, the School will inform all parents of the vacancy and will make the necessary arrangements for the subsequent election. If more than one person wishes to be considered for the position a ballot is held and each parent or legal guardian of children attending the school is entitled to vote. Votes are counted by the Headteacher and at least one other governor and the elected governor notified accordingly. Parents and carers can petition for a meeting with the Governing Body by getting signatures from twenty or more (10%) parents. If we receive such a petition, we will arrange a meeting within three weeks providing there are no more than 3 meetings during the school year and there are at least 25 days left. No meeting took place during the previous academic year.

3 Term Dates 2019/2020 Term begins Monday 2nd September 2019

Half term (autumn) Monday 28th October – Friday 1nst November 2019

Term ends Friday 20th December 2019

Autumn total 75 days

Term begins Monday 6th January 2020

Half term (spring) Monday 17th - Friday 21st February 2020

Term ends Thursday 3rd April 2020

Spring total 60 days

Term begins Monday 20th April 2020

May day bank holiday Friday 8th May 2020

Half term (summer) Monday 25th May - Friday 29th May 2020

Term ends Monday 20th July 2020

Summer total 60 days

School Training Days 2019/2020 In-Service Training Days provide vital opportunities for staff in school to undertake collective training and planning for school improvement. Usually one of these days is spent working with colleagues in neighbouring schools.

2nd September 2019 Aligning the school Vision and Mission statements

3rd September 2019 Abergavenny School joint cluster training

6th January 2020 Pedagogy focus to the New Curriculum for Wales

24th February 2020 Pedagogy focus to the New Curriculum for Wales

19th June 2020 Standards evaluation and Self-Evaluation

20th July 2020 School Development Planning

4 School Day 8:40 am School opens Office hours 8.30am-4.00pm

8.50 am 9.00 am Registration

Foundation Phase Key Stage 2

9.00 am 10.10 am Teaching time 9.00 am 10.20 am Teaching time

10.10 am 10.20 am Snack and milk break

10.20 am 10.40 am Collective 10.20 am 10.40 am Collective worship worship

10.40 am 10.55 am Morning break 10.40 am 10.55 am Morning break

10.55 am 12.00 pm Teaching time 10.55 am 12.10 pm Teaching time

12.00 1.00 pm Lunch 12.00 1.00 pm Lunch

1.00 pm 1.10 pm Registration 1.00 pm 1.10 pm Registration

1.10 pm 3.05 pm Teaching time & 1.10 pm 2.10 pm Teaching time outdoor activities

2.10 pm 2.20 pm Daily Mile

2.20 pm 3.20 pm Teaching time

This exceeds the National Assembly guidance of: FP: 21 hours, KS2: 23.5 hours. Staffing 2018-2019 Staffing during the academic year 2018-19 remained stable with no significant changes with support or teaching staff. School Targets Each year the Governing Body, with the headteacher, sets teacher assessment targets and projected targets (shown below) for the end of Foundation Phase (Year 2) and Key Stage 2 (Year 6) which are challenged by an Education Achievement Service Challenge Advisor. The tables below show targets and actual outcomes for 2018 -2019.

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Foundation Number in School Target Outcome Actual (%) Phase Cohort (%)

5+ 30 90 90 LLC English or Welsh 6 30 50 53

5+ 30 93 97 Mathematical Development 6 30 40 40

5+ 30 90 93 Personal and Social Development, Wellbeing and Cultural Diversity 6 30 54 57

Foundation Phase Indicator 5+ 30 90 90

Key Number in School Target Level Actual (%) Stage 2 Cohort (%)

4+ 30 86 86 English 5+ 30 49 52

4+ 30 83 83 Welsh (first or second language) 5+ 30 38 38

4+ 30 86 90 Mathematics 5+ 30 49 52

4+ 30 86 86 Science 5+ 30 49 52

Core Subject Indicator 4+ 30 86 86

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Attendance & Absence for 2018-2019 Total Attendance for the academic year was 95.7% this is up 0.1% on the previous year’s figure and 0.3% below the target of 96% set by the Local Authority. The drop can be attributed to more pupils taking family holidays during term time. Authorised absence was 4.04% and Unauthorised absence 0.93%. The Local Authority has set the school the following targets for improving attendance.

Academic Academic Academic Year Year Year

2019-20 2020-21 2021-21

Attendance (%) 96% 96.50% 95.50%

Unauthorised Absence (%) 0.40% 0.30% 0.20%

Authorised Absence (%) 3.60% 3.20% 3.30%

Pupils Exclusions There were no fixed day exclusions and no permanent exclusions for the academic year 2018-19. Destination of School Leavers The vast majority of our pupils transfer from Year 6 to the catchment secondary school of King Henry VIII. At the end of the Summer Term 2019, 28 out of 30 pupils transferred to King Henry, 1 to Crickhowell and 1 to Monmouth Comprehensive School. We have strong transition links with King Henry Comprehensive School through a range of transition activities including visits to the school. The School Curriculum All schemes of learning produced by the school are compliant to the statutory requirements of the Foundation Phase and National Curriculum 2008. Throughout the primary phase of learning we are committed to providing a broad and balanced curriculum but always with an emphasis on developing children’s literacy and numeracy skills. There is currently a transition period as elements of the New Curriculum for Wales are being developed in school ready for September 2022.

The Foundation Phase (Reception, Yr. 1 & 2) 4 - 7 years Very young children make sense of their world through play and exploration and it is on this premise that the Foundation Phase framework for children’s learning from 3 to 7 years is based. The Foundation Phase encompasses children’s early learning, building upon and extending previous learning experiences, knowledge and skills, putting the child at the centre of learning and not the curriculum. As the title suggests, this is the stage where the foundations for all subsequent learning are established. A happy, safe and secure learning environment is conducive to good learning. We provide activities that are fun and stimulating. Carefully planned structured play is fundamental to the Foundation Phase and helps children to explore practical based

7 activities, which gradually become more directed according to stage and ability. Through experiential learning, children are provided with opportunities to develop holistically and extend their linguistic and communication skills. We encourage children to investigate, explore, solve problems and think creatively. From even the earliest age we nurture independence in children as well as interdependence. We have a Forest School area for lessons in the outdoors. Seven areas of learning have been identified to describe the Foundation Phase. These areas complement each other and work together to provide a practical relevant curriculum for 3 to 7 year olds. Children’s skills are developed across the following seven areas of learning:  Creative Development  Physical Development  Knowledge and Understanding of the World  Welsh Language Development  Mathematical Development  Language, Literacy and Communication Skills  Personal and Social Development, Well Being and Cultural Diversity

The following skills are developed in all areas of the curriculum:  Thinking skills: planning, developing and reflecting.  Communication skills: oracy, reading, writing and wider communication.  ICT: finding and developing ideas, creating and presenting information and ideas.  Number: using mathematical information, calculating, and interpreting and presenting findings.

Reading and Writing The Foundation Phase places great emphasis on developing children’s communication skills. Communication sets a sound basis for the development of reading and writing. Upon entering the early years of education, children who are able to talk about and express their feelings and experiences are more motivated to read, to learn to record their thoughts and to learn to read what others have written. In the Foundation Phase children learn to speak about their experiences and to listen to others so that they will want to develop the skills of reading and writing.

Learning Indoors and Outdoors Use of the outdoors as a learning environment is of great importance in the Foundation Phase. We are blessed with extensive and secure outdoor play areas which children use on a daily basis. Children’s health and well-being benefits from having the space to use large outdoor toys and equipment and freedom to run, jump and skip. They can experience nature first hand on a site that borders mountains and open countryside, observing how the weather changes and how plants and animals react and adapt to changing seasons. The environment allows children to experience concepts such as conservation and sustainability. Importantly, we strive to instil from an early age a love of the outdoor and not to take our beautiful surroundings for granted. Classrooms are technology rich and purpose built for the delivery of the Foundation Phase curriculum. Classrooms are spacious, light and provide a stimulating

8 environment in which children can thrive and learn. Llanfoist Fawr Primary School is an environment to learn from as well as to learn in.

Key Stage 2 (Years 3- 6) Our school curriculum is flexible, broad, balanced and is designed to challenge, extend and prepare all children for life in the twenty first century. Careful planning, record keeping and assessment by teachers ensure full coverage and delivery of the statutory Curriculum 2008. Some subjects are taught as discrete areas, whilst others are delivered through a thematic or topic approach using a diverse range of teaching styles and methods. High priority is given to the development of literacy, numeracy, scientific, information technology and thinking skills (Key Skills). These skills are used across and within all other subjects. Children experience a range of activities that give them a chance to grow, academically, socially, emotionally, spiritually and physically. We provide opportunities for the development of personal values and skills such as co-operation, tolerance, independence and organisation. Children will learn across a range of subjects including:  English  Mathematics  Science  Welsh (as a second language)  History  Geography  Information and Communication Technology (ICT)  Design Technology  Art and Design  Music  Physical Education  Religious Education  Personal and Social Education (PSE)  Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship (ESDGC)

Welsh as a Second Language We are committed to encouraging pupils to learn Welsh as a second language by giving them opportunities throughout Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2 to develop their oral skills competently and to develop them as effective readers and writers. Children become confident and competent in use of the Welsh language as they work on their own, in pairs and in groups. They learn how to listen and speak with others in a range of situations. Reading will be for both enjoyment and information. They learn to apply their skills through using ‘incidental Welsh’ on a daily basis in and around school. Children learn to adapt their speech and writing to suit purpose and audience.

Cwricwlwm Cymreig Children are provided with ample opportunity in lessons, school activities, visiting guests and trips and visits to experience those features which give Wales its own distinctive historic, social and cultural identity. Cwricwlwm Cymreig permeates the whole curriculum through singing Welsh songs, Welsh country dancing and the study

9 of land use in Wales and Welsh history. Eisteddfods are held to celebrate St David’s Day where children can participate in a wide range of Welsh related activities. Collective Worship All children gather together daily to participate in an act of Collective Worship. The content of the sessions is mainly Christian in nature; however, children have opportunities to understand the values and morals from other religions. Parent/carers may write to request that their children be excluded from these sessions and alternative provision will be made. Learning Support Llanfoist Primary School is proud of its fully inclusive provision and care. The Special Needs Code of Practice is the statutory document used by the school to help deliver a curriculum that meets the Additional Learning Needs of children who require support over and above other learners. Support for Additional Learning Needs learners as identified by the Special Needs of practice: 1. School Action: This occurs when a teacher, parent or outside agencies identifies a child as having Additional Learning Needs. At this stage, teachers themselves will provide appropriate interventions, different from those used as a normal part of their curriculum delivery. 2. School Action Plus: This level is implemented when children, who have been working at School Action, for a given period, have shown little or no sign of progress. At this level external agencies become involved in making assessments, meetings, offering advice, observing and monitoring records of evidence. 3. Statutory Assessment: Once again, children only move to this level having shown little or no progress despite the interventions and strategies implemented at School Action Plus. Before a child can be ‘statemented’ they are required to have an assessment by the Local Authority usually undertaken by an educational psychologist. Short term targets are set by the school, external agencies and the class teacher. Any additional provision is normally quantified e.g. number of hours of staffing provision; type of specialist equipment; curriculum modifications to allow access etc. This, as with all other levels, is variable according to individual circumstances. Some statemented pupils have individual support funded centrally from ALN section at County Hall and are taught in an inclusive environment. 4. Individual Development Plans (IDPs): These are drawn up for those children who are felt to have Additional Learning Needs at some point. It involves the writing of short term targets that are set for / with the child. Parents are sent copies of IDPs for consultation and information. It sets out what teaching strategies are to be used, what provision is to be put in place, the review date, success criteria and the outcomes. They are required to be reviewed twice a year, minimum, with the involvement of both parent and child.

10 Pupils with disabilities The school is Strategic Equality Act compliant and fully accessible for all users. All paved areas have ramps for wheelchair users and the single storey building allows easy access to all indoor and outdoor learning and administration areas. There are three toilets specifically designed for disabled users. The curriculum has been designed and, where appropriate, modified to meet the needs of all pupils. The School has a Strategic Equality Plan which was developed in 2015, in line with the Equality Act 2010 and with LA requirements. This policy has a focus on accessibility for all users of the school. Any child with disabilities is admitted to the school in accordance with Local Authority policy. A risk assessment is carried out prior to entry and all reasonable adjustments are completed before the child starts school. Facilities There are regularly cleaned separate toilet facilities for male and female children, along with disabled toilets. More Able and Talented Children who show a particular aptitude in a curriculum area or a talent in areas such as sport, art music or creativity are provide with activities and tasks that challenge and stretch them. Work is fully differentiated to help meet the needs of all levels of ability, including the more able. Llanfoist Primary School is a member of The National Association of Able Children in Education (NACE). Following assessment in May 2017 the school was awarded the prestigious NACE Challenge Award, only the 52nd school in Wales to achieve this accolade. All teachers use the NACE Framework in their teaching to help meet the needs of more able learners. The Governing Body has appointed a governor, Mr Mike Gorell, to oversee this area. Physical Education and School Sports Lessons in Physical Education cover a variety of skill and health related activities. During PE lessons children learn to practise as individuals, partners, groups and teams, their small and large ball skills, sending and receiving skills, team and invasion games as well as learning the principles of sportsmanship and fair play. Dance and gymnastics lessons are provided to teach performers about body management, control and creativity. They learn how physical activity promotes physical and mental well being. In 2018-19 Year 6 pupils were provided with the opportunity of a 4 day residential visit to the Hilston Park outdoor and adventurous activity centre. KS2 children take swimming lessons at Abergavenny Leisure Centre; achievement is recognised through the Monmouthshire Swimming Awards scheme. In athletics, pupil set personal targets for improvement and develop training practises that support improvement. Our annual sports day 2018-19, as ever, was well attended by family and friends. In addition to curriculum provision there are a number of inter school sports competitions. Llanfoist are the current Abergavenny Schools Swimming Gala, Swimathon and Cross Country Champions, as well as achieving the runner up position in the Abergavenny Schools Football Competition.

11 Extra-Curricular Activities The clubs presently being offered are due to the goodwill and generosity of our staff:

Art Monday Year 4

Choir Monday Years 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Creative Movement Tuesday Years 3, 4

Football Monday Years 4, 5, 6

Netball Friday (lunch time) Years 4, 5, 6

Rugby Monday (lunch time) Years 4, 5, 6

Spanish Tuesday (lunch time) Year 5

Strengthening Community Links Llanfoist Primary School is at the heart of the local community. To this end we actively explore opportunities for children to learn in the local community. This involves visiting different sites and people in our village and beyond as well as inviting them in to work with us here in school. We were privileged to be selected by SkillForce and the Duke of Cambridge to launch the new Prince William Award. Prince William personally attended the school on March 1st 2017 to announce and launch the award which is in his name. Since the launch pupils have made presentations on behalf of SkillForce to audiences in the Welsh Assembly, a Headteacher conference and the Tower of London to share their experiences of the award. The school has contributed to numerous events in the area including the Abergavenny Food Festival, performances by the choir at St David’s Hall and the Gwyl Plant Welsh Country Dancing festival at Abergavenny Castle. Pupils also regularly interact with Reverend Dr Chris Waters and took part in a whole school Harvest Festival and Easter services at Christchurch, Govilon. Numerous charities and events were also well supported such as the Abergavenny Food Bank, The British Legion Poppy Appeal, McMillan Nurses, Guide Dogs, Abergavenny Food Bank, Abergavenny Rotary Club and Velindre hospital. Members of the school Eco Committee were invited to take part in the Countryside Service Castle Meadows sustainable environments project and Keen to be Green Week taught pupils the importance of conservation and sustainability in the local and wider community. Their work managed to secure the school its second Eco Flag and its fifth Healthy Schools Leaf Award The local education establishments also benefitted from regular visits and joint use of school facilities from Sunshines playgroup and pupils from King Henry VIII spent time on Work Experience in classes. This link was also reinforced with good transition links for pupils in years 5 and 6.

12 Financial Summary 2018-2019

Employee costs

Total £719,068.00

Supplies and Services

Total £38,663.00

Premises costs

Total £77,528.00

Transport

Total £4000.00

Agency and contracted

Total £39,823.00

Total Expenditure

£879,082.00

Income

£886,604.00

NET (Year Actual)

Surplus £7,522. 00

Prior Year carried forward

Surplus £14,342.00

Balance

Surplus £21,864.00

13 School Performance

Welsh Government Standards National Categorisation Based on standards attained by the school, the quality of teaching, learning and leadership, the school is placed in one of four colour categories, Green, Yellow, Amber or Red. Green being the highest and red the lowest. Red schools require high levels of external support and Green low level of external support. For 2019 Llanfoist Fawr Primary School was placed in a Green category. School results 2018 - 2019 Welsh Government provide all schools with Core Data Sets (CDS), a pack with summaries of their performances at the end of Foundation Phase (for Language, Literacy and Communication, Mathematical Development and Physical and Social Development) and Key Stage 2 (for English, Maths, Science and Welsh 2nd Language). The format of the CDS and the creation of ‘Families of (similar) Schools’ allows better comparisons between how Year 2 and Year 6 pupils at Llanfoist are performing & achieving compared to the Welsh average, the Monmouthshire average and our family average. Analysing performance over a three year + period enables the staff and the Governing Body to gain a clearer picture of what is working well and where improvements need to be made. If teaching and learning is strong in specific areas, the CDS will reflect that. Conversely if the CDS shows underperformance in a subject or aspect, we clearly need to review our approach to teaching in that area. The CDS is therefore a helpful tool for us to review our strategies and programmes of study and make necessary improvements. Critically this commentary and the levels achieved relates to whole school & key stage performance. They are not judgements of learning and teaching standards in years 2 and 6. The following tables show the school’s performance for children attainment at the expected levels for End of Foundation Phase and End of Key Stage 2. Percentage of Foundation Phase pupils achieving Outcome 5+

School data Comparative data 2019 2019 2018 Monmouthshire Wales

Pupils Boys Girls Pupils Boys Girls Pupils Boys Girls Pupils Boys Girls Language, literacy and 90 86 94 100 100 100 91 89 93 82 78 87 communication Mathematical 97 93 100 96 93 100 91 92 91 85 82 87 Development Personal and Social 93 86 100 100 100 100 97 96 98 92 89 95 Development Foundation Phase 90 86 94 96 93 100 88 88 89 80 76 84 Indicator

14 Percentage of Key Stage 2 pupils achieving Level 4+

School data Comparative data 2019 2019 2018 Monmouthshire Wales

Pupils Boys Girls Pupils Boys Girls Pupils Boys Girls Pupils Boys Girls Welsh 2nd 83 79 90 87 88 86 90 87 93 81 86 76 language English 86 84 90 90 94 86 95 94 97 90 86 93

Mathematics 90 89 90 93 94 93 95 94 95 91 89 93

Science 86 84 90 90 94 86 96 95 97 91 89 93 Core Subject 86 84 90 90 94 86 93 92 95 88 85 91 Indicator

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