www.torfaen.gov.uk #torfaentalks 01495 762200 TORFAENA Heart Borough Talks October 2013 – Hydref 2013 JUMPING FOR JOY AS RESULTS ImproVE Pupils throughout percentage of pupils level-2 A*-C indicator, Torfaen were jumping gaining A-E grades which was an for joy, as A-level and increased 2.2 per cent to improvement compared GCSE results improved 88.6 per cent, which is to 45.6 per cent last year. above the Wales figure of overall. The executive member 86.2 per cent. for children and young In Torfaen, a provisional Overall, the provisional people, 98.3 per cent of pupils GCSE results in Torfaen also councillor gained A*-E A-level grades, improved for the second Brian Mawby, up from 97.9 per cent last year running, with 76.3 per said: year and above the Wales cent of pupils achieving “Overall ‘ figure of 97.6 per cent. the level-2 A*-C indicator these are The percentage of pupils (five GCSE A*-C) in WJEC an incredibly Education remains a gaining A*/A grades dipped examinations. This was an pleasing set of results; priority for the council 0.2 per cent to 23.4 per improvement of 7.47 per however, we will not rest on cent, but this was still above cent. our laurels. and the improvements the Wales figure of 22.9 per Fifty per cent of pupils “Education remains a reflect this cent. ‘ achieved priority for the council and much brighter.” At AS- the the improvements reflect level, the more positively on all the In addition to the Stage Two, in which Torfaen difficult decisions we have improved A-level and is above the Welsh average taken over the last two GCSE exam results, recent in all five areas. years. statistics from Welsh Government show further At Foundation Phase and “A good standard evidence of improvements in Key Stage Three, Torfaen is of education education. above the Welsh average in is important in four of the five areas. today’s world and The performance figures with these results focus on three key areas The improvements give the prospects for – the end of Foundation children a great opportunity so many young Phase, Key Stage 2 and Key to build on these solid people in Stage 3. foundations for future Torfaen will Particularly pleasing is the success. hopefully be improvement show in Key Continued on page 2 Inside Local theatre Volunteers clear All smiles at annual appeals for help Rorke’s Drift playschemes this in fundraising survivor's grave awards ceremony issue >> see page 2 see page 7 see page 11 Shiny happy people celebrate results (Continued from page 1) After Torfaen’s education service was put in special measures by Estyn earlier this year, the council approved the transfer of the delivery of school improvement to a new regional body – the South East Wales Education Achievement Service (EAS). The EAS was set up by the five councils in the Gwent area as a collaborative venture, with the EAS delivering added value from sharing expertise and resources, which will ultimately improve children’s educational attainment and their opportunity to compete in the national and global workplace. The EAS model has been recognised by Estyn as the most advanced collaborative education model in Wales to drive improvement. The following tables show the breakdown of Torfaen’s performance at the end of Foundation Phase, Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3: Foundation Phase (end of year-2) Torfaen Wales Rank 2013 Rank 2012 Language, Literacy, th th Communication (English) 89.4 85.2 4 6 Language, Literacy, th th Communication (Welsh) 82.8 86.7 18 20 Mathematical st th Development 91.9 87.4 1 6 Personal, social th nd development 94.8 93.0 6 2 Foundation Phase rd th Indicator 87.6 83.0 3 6 KS2 (end of year-6) Torfaen Wales Rank 2013 Rank 2012 Benefit fraudster jailed th th English 90.3 87.1 4 5 A Torfaen resident has st th Welsh first language 98.6 86.7 1 5 been sentenced to a year Mathematics 92.2 87.5 2nd 4th in prison after fraudulently Science 92.8 89.7 3rd 6th claiming more than CSI* 89.1 84.3 2nd 6th £100,000 in benefits. KS3 (end of year-9) Tiffany Squires, of Wentsland Torfaen Wales Rank 2013 Rank 2012 Crescent, Pontypool was English 87.7 82.9 4th 14th prosecuted by Torfaen council on two counts of Welsh first language 84.4 87.6 15th 12th failing to notify a change of Mathematics 86.5 83.9 5th 14th circumstances. Ms Squires was Science 89.6 87.0 8th 6th overpaid £102,361.61 in income CSI** 79.8 77.0 9th 15th support, housing benefit and council tax benefit over five and *Core subject indicator (pupils getting at least a level 4 in English, maths and science) ** Core subject indicator (pupils getting at least a level 5 in English, maths and science) a half years, having failed to notify the Department of Work and Pensions she was living with LEARN ON THE JOB WITH APPRENTICESHIPS IN TORFAEN her partner. Torfaen council is working all aspects of the job.” “I love working here – the staff are Ms Squires, who will serve at least half the sentence, has with Careers Wales to offer Once she has completed her enthusiastic and fun to work with. I enjoy spending time with the service users apprenticeships in social care. apprenticeship, Charlotte will have earned QCF (NVQ) level two and three and I learn new things every day, which Apprentices earn a wage and work qualifications. furthers my experience.” alongside experienced staff to gain To find out more about job-specific skills. They also train for Apprenticeships can take between one and four years to complete and are open apprenticeships, call Careers Wales on nationally recognised qualifications such 0800 100 900 or visit as NVQs. to anyone aged 16 and older, who aren't in full-time education. Employment is www.careerswales.com Charlotte Roblin (18) is one of the normally for a minimum 30 hours per latest recruits to the apprenticeship week. programme with social care in Torfaen council. She explained why she got Charlotte added: “I think involved: “I have always had a desire to apprenticeships are the right option help people. for people my age, as many youngsters have a hard time getting a job because “I looked on Careers Wales and of their lack of experience. This found the application form for the apprenticeship gives me experience and apprenticeship and immediately jumped qualifications in social care. at the opportunity. I also wanted to learn Page 2 Recycle Torfaen Talks – pop it in your black recycling box GREEN Theatre needs your support CLOSURES Green waste collections Two Locks Nursery will stop from the first The Congress Theatre in Cwmbran and week of December and in Cwmbran needs your Kemys Fawr Primary will resume at the end of help, as it tries to raise in Griffithstown will March. £100,000 for its first close at the end of Last year, the council major refurbishment since stopped collections from the it opened in 1972. the school year. first week of November for The trust that runs the From September 2014, nursery provision from Two the first time since the twin theatre wants to revamp the bin collection service was Locks will be transferring auditorium, foyer, toilets and to Nant Celyn Primary, introduced, saving £75,000. lounge. while the majority of Following feedback from The most expensive part of pupils at Kemys Fawr residents, collections will stop the refurbishment will be the will attend Griffithstown a month later this year to new retractable seating that Primary. Torfaen council allow two extra collections has received written will enable more space for theatre hires, both amateur and raised on top of this. to clear any garden waste confirmation of the Welsh exhibitions, conferences and professional, which together left over from autumn. The Torfaen deputy leader Lewis Government decision large events. with daytime business and last time winter green bins Jones said: “I urge people to accepting the reasons for It is hoped that the private functions means that closure and responding to were collected, Torfaen staff get behind this appeal and help improvements will help increase the theatre is kept fairly busy.” objections. The proposals to collected an average of just raise funds for these vital works. income through corporate Torfaen council is one of the close the schools form the 11kg of green waste per “The Congress Theatre is a first step of a £257million hires and new audiences, and main funding bodies supporting household. wonderful facility that offers a 21st Century Schools improve sustainability of the the theatre, which currently has Until March, any green valuable and affordable outlet programme that aims to facility for the future. 78 volunteers and running costs waste can be composted at to local groups.” tackle surplus places and Mr Redwood said: “The of £160,000. home, taken to the Household To donate, call Richard deliver a mixture of new, Congress Theatre today is Waste Recycling Centre or The money for the Williams or Martyn Redwood on extended and refurbished considered to be doing well, its schools across Torfaen. kept in the green bin. refurbishment needs to be 01633 868239. main source of income being Benefit fraudster jailed WEBCASTING TO GO LIVE THIS MONTH agreed to pay back A Torfaen resident has Have your say Residents will be able to view Wellington, said: “Given the financial outlook for been sentenced to a year £5 a week of the at facebook.com/ local democracy in action public services, it will be increasingly important housing and council in prison after fraudulently torfaen or twitter.com/ from the comfort of their own that people are well informed and engaged in the tax benefits.