CRICKHOWELL HIGH SCHOOL Ysgol Uwchradd Crughywel

Response to the Powys County Council Secondary School and Post 16 Modernisation Informal Consultation Process

Crickhowell High School Vision and Values

The delivery of the vision and values shown below is led by the Senior Leadership and Management Teams and monitored by the Governing Body, which draws representation from parents, the community, staff, students and Local Authority.

Students Every student to achieve their potential Nurturing well rounded confident individuals Academic excellence at all key stages Access to stimulating learning environments and interactive state of the art resources Experiencing and enjoying a rich and diverse range of learning and leisure opportunities.

Parents Safe and secure environment which builds self esteem and encourages students to excel Put students first, invest in high quality staff Strong values and high expectations Fulfil individual potential by providing excellent teaching, rich opportunities for learning and encouragement and support for each student Highly inclusive, having complete regard for the educational progress, personal development and well being of every student Excellent communication to ensure parents are always well informed Valuing the role of parents as integral to the success of everyone in the school community

Staff Highly effective practice, continuous professional development Fulfil individual potential by providing excellent teaching, rich opportunities for learning and encouragement and support for each student Providing a relevant and attractive curriculum focussed on the needs of the learner. Highly qualified, creative and forward thinking

Community A vibrant learning community Building excellent relationships with students, parents and the community Providing a range of services and activities beyond the school day for the wider community Working with local partners to support and add value to the local community. Lifelong learning opportunities

Value for Money Operating with a high degree of efficiency, effectiveness and economy whilst constantly looking for ways to improve further. Working and developing budget allocations. Constantly seeking additional funding opportunities.

Page 2 of 10 Academic Performance

A-Levels

2005 2006 No. No. A - B A - C A - E Av.Sc. No. No. A - B A - C A - E Av.Sc. Secondary Sch. Cands. Entries % % % (1-10) Cands. Entries % % % (1-10) Crickhowell 46 136 69.1% 89.0% 99.3% 7.82 54 160 63.8% 88.8% 100.0% 7.70 Powys 567 1664 54.7% 76.6% 97.7% 6.94 593 1743 57.2% 80.3% 98.2% 7.15 Wales n/a 35475 48.9% 73.0% 96.8% 6.63 n/a 36493 49.4% 73.5% 96.9% 6.66

2007 2008 No. No. A - B A - C A - E Av.Sc. No. No. A - B A - C A - E Av.Sc. Secondary Sch. Cands. Entries % % % (1-10) Cands. Entries % % % (1-10) Crickhowell 49 141 54.6% 78.0% 100.0% 6.99 47 140 65.7% 84.3% 100.0% 7.67 Powys 589 1670 51.5% 75.4% 97.7% 6.82 611 1730 53.9% 78.4% 98.4% 7.00 Wales n/a 36023 50.0% 74.6% 97.1% 6.72 n/a 36836 50.9% 75.8% 97.6% 6.79

2009 2010 No. No. A - B A - C A - E Av.Sc. No. No. A* - B A* - C A* - E Av.Sc. Secondary Sch. Cands. Entries % % % (1-10) Cands. Entries % % % (1-10) Crickhowell 69 202 65.3% 87.1% 100.0% 7.61 59 231 72.3% 87.4% 100.0% 8.06 Powys 647 1855 53.6% 78.4% 99.0% 6.96 641 1968 55.6% 78.3% 98.0% 7.08 Wales n/a 38433 51.7% 76.5% 97.6% 6.84 n/a 37315 49.6% 73.8% 97.1% 6.70

Crickhowell, Powys and Wales A-level Results

% A*-B, 2005-2010

80.0%

70.0%

60.0%

50.0% Crickhow ell 40.0% Pow ys Wales

Percentage 30.0%

20.0%

10.0%

0.0% 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Year

Page 3 of 10 Year 11 Qualifications 2006 2007 2008 Indicator School Powys Wales School Powys Wales School Powys Wales Entered 1+ Qualifications n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 100% 97% 98% Left with no Qualification n/a 1.3% 2.1% n/a 0.8% 1.7% 0.0% 0.2% 1.5% Level 1 Threshold n/a n/a n/a 96% 92% 86% 95% 92% 87% Level 2 Threshold n/a n/a n/a 72% 63% 55% 70% 67% 58% Level 2 inc. Eng./Cym. & Maths n/a n/a n/a 66% 52% 44% 61% 56% 46% Core Subject Indicator 53% 50% 40% 48% 48% 40% 61% 55% 44% Average Capped Wider Points n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Average Wider Points 357 366 335 364 374 343 385 388 356

2009 2010 Indicator School Powys Wales School Powys Wales Entered 1+ Qualifications 100% 99% 99% 100% 99% 99% Left with no Qualification 0.0% 0.1% 0.9% 0.0% 0.3% 0.8% Level 1 Threshold 99% 93% 88% 97% 93% 90% Level 2 Threshold 74% 71% 61% 73% 69% 64% Level 2 inc. Eng./Cym. & Maths 65% 60% 47% 68% 58% 49% Core Subject Indicator 65% 60% 46% 69% 57% 48% Average Capped Wider Points n/a n/a n/a 346 325 305 Average Wider Points 444 426 379 462 425 394

Page 4 of 10 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE Delegated School Budget per pupil, by school (£)

£4,100

£3,900

£3,700

£3,500

£3,300 Crickhowell High

Budget Per Pupil £3,100 School Powys - Secondary £2,900 Wales £2,700

£2,500

2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Year

Delegated School Budgets per pupil, by school (£) Local Government Financial Statistics, Welsh Assembly Government

Individual schools budget per pupil (£)

2002-3 2003-4 2004-5 2005-6 2006-7 2007-8 2008-9 2009-10 2010-11

Caereinion High School 2987.57 3182.76 3300.18 3633.16 3780.76 3818.22 3930.61 3884.80 4124.82 Llanfyllin High School 2775.53 2934.34 2989.35 3269.31 3346.37 3490.38 3812.09 3618.96 3783.07 Llanidloes High School 2709.45 2911.69 2924.44 3197.92 3265.23 3420.17 3508.57 3671.69 3867.07 Ysgol Bro Ddyfi 3923.02 4205.04 4204.86 4500.00 4717.19 4457.52 4381.70 4389.23 4554.80 Newtown High School 2745.93 2947.59 3014.94 3367.51 3445.77 3492.95 3588.59 3682.99 3903.42 Welshpool High School 2775.23 2936.44 2976.05 3238.45 3274.24 3327.09 3432.80 3495.97 3685.59 John Beddoes School 2739.09 2914.37 2968.14 3222.82 3296.08 3340.68 3515.99 3782.57 4300.37 Llandrindod High School 2797.02 2964.33 3036.44 3378.03 3460.34 3571.26 3711.51 3627.99 3996.52 Builth Wells High School 2926.95 3113.42 3145.71 3440.12 3480.57 3466.00 3573.53 3655.76 3870.98 Ysgol Maes-Y-Dderwen 2931.36 3081.43 3123.81 3467.00 3606.87 3710.42 3761.22 3870.36 4024.42 Brecon High School 2822.79 3008.55 3056.92 3370.12 3463.11 3543.97 3703.46 3667.23 3842.47 Gwernyfed High School 2828.01 2935.64 3002.92 3299.66 3403.26 3510.98 3718.13 3740.75 3996.20

Crickhowell 2784.55 2887.68 2914.56 3277.24 3360.86 3396.36 3560.75 3461.07 3752.86 8th 13th 13th 9th 9th 12th 9th 13th 12th

Powys - Secondary 2970.67 3018.17 3255.47 3410.72 3439.50 3580.21 3692.09 3692.26 3923.75 CRICKHOWELL HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN FUNDED BELOW POWYS AVERAGE Wales 2540.99 2795.5 2988.46 3185.82 3354.82 3508.48 3644.53 3760.27 3863.93 CRICKHOWELL HAS BEEN FUNDED BELOW WALES AVERAGE FOR LAST 4 YEARS

Page 5 of 10 Levels of reserves carried forward, by school (£ thousand)

Local Government Financial Statistics, Welsh Assembly Government

Reserves carried forward

Year 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 Auth/School Caereinion 157 191 99 58.769 87.93 131.09 128.732 174.84 Llanfyllin 131 119 119 164.38 220 218.9 261.259 207.51 Llanidloes 201 297 457 342.36 290.51 336.66 247.566 298.24 Bro Ddyfi 71 48 13 66.966 36.518 53.2 44.888 65.61 Newtown 158 1 76 115.73 86.26 13.98 47.441 213.48 Welshpool 47 53 81 36.472 93.34 63.93 -62.125 -203.18 John Beddoes 7 12 1 32.918 -22.48 -55.18 -109.3 -153.76 Llandrindod 354 333 322 229.29 191.85 309.96 239.33 168.52 Builth Wells -37 -23 -13 -24.507 20.29 29.91 -104.79 -210.96 Maes-Y-Dderwen 266 285 222 185.52 52.42 30.75 -37.17 -78.06 Brecon 86 53 28 62.93 147.77 118.6 -101.79 -98.04 Gwernyfed 111 130 139 80.734 108.76 99.22 79.689 78.91

Crickhowell 47 92 150 115.65 120.34 56.19 47.009 2.02

Powys - Secondary 1599 1591 1694 1467.2 1433.5 1407.2 680.743 165.13

This year, 2010-11, we expect to have an out turn surplus of £20-30,000

Pupil numbers 2002-3 2003-4 2004-5 2005-6 2006-7 2007-8 2008-9 2009-10 2010-11

Crickhowell 562 614 632 624 651 666 699 717 716

Key Issues Funding Formula

Powys financial predictors in the Modernisation document indicate savings of £1,267,372 could be achieved with the reorganisation of the pre 16 schools into larger split campus schools across thirteen sites however these are estimates and more detailed costing have revealed greater expense for increased leadership and management costs of larger split site schools with less local opportunities for families and community focused schools.

It is significant that we mange our school budget efficiently without deficit and whilst being funded on a formula which delivers CHS £225 less per pupil compared to the Powys Average.

Post 16 funding is currently provided under the DCELLS formula and CHS is able to deliver 23 Level 3 courses and maintain a healthy financial balance.

It seems prudent to maintain CHS as an independent learning centre when excellent academic results are achieved whilst maintaining value for money and high quality student and community focused learning.

Page 6 of 10 Demographics

Powys projections for numbers on roll indicate a potential loss of 20 children in 2011, and this trend is suggested to continue over the next four years with student numbers in Year 7 diminishing until the school population is projected to be 634 in January 2015. However this does not take account of any students joining CHS from Monmouthshire nor the increasing numbers in our Sixth Form. In 2011 our year 12 numbers on roll are due to increase from 70 to over 100. We expect our numbers on roll to be maintained at over 700 in the future

Welsh Assembly Government 14-19 Statutory Requirements

The Learning and Skills Measure currently requires students at KS5 to have access to 30 subjects at Level 3 this is currently met in collaboration with other local school and Coleg Powys. At KS4 the Learning and Skills Measure requires students to have access to 29 subjects at Level 1, moving to 30 subjects from 2012. We meet the measure at Key Stage 4 and 5 in collaboration with other South Powys providers and offer 23 Level 3 courses taught on site at CHS.

Competition

From September 2012 the new Learning Works Campus will be in Ebbw Vale and all Blaenau Gwent Schools will lose their sixth forms to this new centre of Post 16 Learning. We expect to gain some students from this as many families prefer Sixth form education to take place in a school setting. Monmouthshire schools close to us include King Henry VIII and Monmouth Comprehensive. These schools are due to develop their e learning capacity and are expected to retain their Sixth form provision. Undoubtedly should CHS lose its Sixth Form Powys would lose a significant number of post 16 students across the border.

Choices and Consequences

1. Maintaining the Status Quo

A number of Powys schools are under financial pressure which puts pressure on all of us so something has to change.

We accept the need to change but we reject Powys’ proposals in favour of our own proposed and preferred option.

2. Powys County Council Preferred Options

The establishment of a two or three site 11-16 school has increased financial implications for the LA. This would require radical changes for Leadership and Management of the sites with significantly more expense for the increased responsibilities for Leadership across a large school, as opposed to funding separately the three smaller schools.

The new governors of the proposed new single school would be drawn from a wider catchment area and local accountability and accessibility will become more difficult as governors and teachers are more widely spread. Parents are more likely to experience difficulties accessing individual members of staff and effective communication will suffer.

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Travel costs and insurance would be considerably higher with added costs for teachers travelling between sites as well as paying for “lost teaching time”. Travelling will become an increase on expenditure as well as increasing the carbon footprint with its inherent increasing costs.

Individual school identities become lost in a larger organisation and opportunities for whole school activities both curricular and extra curricular become very difficult to organise and manage.

The experience of being a member of a local community focussed school, where every student is known and valued as an individual will be lost and local learning resources for the community will be reduced.

The LA undertaking to maintain three sites 11-16 may put increased pressure on a budget which may suffer from a drop in student numbers and variation in maintenance/building costs on the different sites.

A high quality of provision may take some time to establish and maintain across a greater number of students, teachers and sites and dilution is a potential problem.

Loss of Sixth Form control will result in the loss of students across the border and the loss of teachers wishing to teach A Level, so standards will fall.

3. Post 16 Education – Option 1

A new partnership between PCC and Coleg Powys offering a Post 16 Learning Hub at Brecon and a smaller range of A Level subject provided at the Crickhowell and Gwernyfed sites.

Good teaching, positive experiences, high standards and high expectations are some of the pre- requisites for success. The continued high academic standards demonstrated by the students completing their Level 3 courses at Crickhowell are testament to these factors being in place and embedded in a culture of learning. It is crucial to recognise the impact upon parents in choosing a school with a well established reputation for delivering excellence and the future security of that school as a learning centre.

In the current climate the proposal to locate a learning hub at Brecon combined with lack of A Level provision in Coleg Powys and the proposed significant reduction of subjects offered at Crickhowell would undoubtedly have catastrophic consequences for Crickhowell High School. The loss of public confidence would result in an irreversible loss of students from the School, the local community and probably Powys.

4. Post 16 Education – Option 2

A tertiary model based at Brecon, led by Coleg Powys. The same arguments apply here as outlined in the response to Option 1.

Page 8 of 10 school with a well established reputation for delivering excellence and the future security of that school as a learning centre.

The proposal to locate a learning hub at Brecon combined with lack of A Level provision in Coleg Powys and the proposed significant reduction of subjects offered at Crickhowell would undoubtedly have catastrophic consequences for Crickhowell High School. The loss of public confidence would result in an irreversible loss of students from the School, the local community and probably Powys.

For students post 16 their experience will be of increased travel and travel time; of having to start again at another centre and of a loss of opportunity to be involved in locally based extra curricular activities and learning support.

The students at school, aged 11-16, will lose the significant positive impact of sixth formers as mentors and role models.

THE PROPOSED AND PREFERRED OPTION OF THE GOVERNORS OF CRICKHOWELL HIGH SCHOOL

The delivery of 3-18 education by the Crickhowell cluster of community focused schools working in partnership to deliver high quality education and value for money.

The Crickhowell community cluster of schools would include the High School and all local feeder primary schools working together, whist retaining their individual status, governance and management structure.

Closer working relationships would ensure academic excellence and continuity across Keys Stages 1, 2 , 3, 4 & 5 as well as community bases for local educational, cultural, sporting and leisure opportunities for everyone in the community.

Increased value for money would be achieved by partnership working in the following areas: Joint procurement policy, to drive down costs. Shared resources, including access to support staff Access to local Business Manager Support Shared facilities and activities Shared ICT expansion and development Shared sector leading practice. Increased potential for adult learning and community access. Multi-Agency working.

ADVANTAGES OF PREFERRED MODEL

1. More effective learning and student experience through closer working 3 -18. 2. Greater value for money and improved quality of educational resources 3. Reduce carbon footprint and less travelling, more teaching 4. Smoother and more effective transition from primary to secondary education. 5. Professional learning community, working together to ensure high standards and excellence of provision. 6. Community focused schools at the heart of the community. 7. Enhanced facilities for lifelong learning. 8. Improved family provision of sporting and leisure opportunities in the community.

Page 9 of 10 9. Greater opportunities for multi agency working to ensure the best provision for children and families. 10. Local youth provision and support. 11. School facilities as a resource for community, voluntary and business groups. 12. Increased sustainability and energy efficiency through joint working 13. 1300 local children receiving excellent individual support and education within their community. 14. Utilises the knowledge and expertise within the community to develop effective local educational provision.

OUR ACTION PLAN

1 To develop an outline business case for 3 -18 cluster of community focussed schools 2. To commence consultation with parents, pupils, staff and governors within the cluster. 3. To identify resources including the recruitment of a Business Manager to produce financial models. 4. Establish a timeline for the production of an Outline Business Case by 31/3/2012 5. Negotiate with Local Authority for no further action on the next stage of proposals until the Business Plan is completed.

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