FFEDERASIWN CARNO, GLANTWYMYN A LLANBRYNMAIR GOVERNORS’ REPORT TO PARENTS A word from the Chairman 20th October 2017 Dear Parents/Guardians On behalf of the governors and staff of the Federation it gives me great pleasure to present the Annual Governors Report to parents. It is great to see the successes achieved last year and look forward to an exciting year in the continued development of the Federation. Firstly, I would like to wish Mrs Lisa Morris, Mrs Bethan Williams and Miss Claire Daniel well on their maternity leave and to Miss Ffion Ellis on her new post at Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth. We also extend a warm welcome to Miss Manon Evans and Mrs Nia Bleddyn Jones as Key Stage 2 teachers at Ysgol Glantwymyn, Mrs Anwen Jarman at Ysgol Llanbrynmair and Mrs Mererid Lewis, Mrs Mair Ashton and Mrs Ceri Tomos at Ysgol Carno. We bid a fond farewell to key members of the Governors, Cllr Gwilym Fychan, Cllr Rachel Davies, Cllr Dai Charles and Dr David Whitworth and thank them for their contribution which has been significant in developing the success of the Federation. During the year the Federation Challenge adviser has been to visit all three schools. We have received positive reports with all three schools planning to ensure effective improvements and sharing good practice. A special thank you to the staff for their dedication in working together to share planning and good practice. During last year, the schools had the opportunity to work together on an ambitious project ‘Yr Elfennau’ under the guidance of the Arts Council of Wales. This gave the opportunity for pupils to experience modern art, working with local and national Welsh artists to produce a project that came together in a final performance to launch their book ‘Elfennau’ in the summer term at Ysgol Llanbrynmair. We are extremely grateful to everyone associated with this project. The pupils of the Federation also had an opportunity to work and socialise together on summer trips, various sporting days and at the Urdd camp, Llangrannog. The year ahead is looking to be a busy year. There is another project on the horizon, to create a Federation choir to sing with Rhys Meirion and Aled Pentre Mawr at the Tabernacle, Machynlleth in the New Year. I would also urge a committee of parents to come together to organise an event to raise funds for the ‘Friends of the Federation’ to strengthen the relationship between the three schools even further. But certainly, the key news is the developments at Ysgol Carno and Ysgol Glantwymyn. Powys County Council has secured funding under the 21st century School Programme from Welsh Government to build a new school at Carno and to refurbish and extend Ysgol Glantwymyn. Discussions are continuing regarding planning towards a small extension to the Foundation Phase class at Ysgol Llanbrynmair. The significant contribution from Carno Recreation Association is very much welcomed and it is certain that the development proposals would not have been succesful without their support. Good luck to the pupils that have left the Federation at the end of the academic year to begin their next journey at high school. Yours sincerely Gwion Aeron Chairman 1 NAMES OF GOVERNOR MEMBERSHIP FFEDERASIWN CARNO, GLANTWYMYN A LLANBRYNMAIR Governor Role Name Term of Office Headteacher Mrs Bethan Gwawr Jones November 2014 - 2018 Chairman Mr Gwion Aeron November 2014 - 2018 Teacher Governor Mrs Bethan Williams November 2014 - 2018 Teacher Governor Miss Llinos Roberts November 2014 – 2018 Support Staff Mrs Elinor Ashworth November 2014 – 2018 Support Staff Mrs Sandra Pughe November 2014 – 2018 Parent Governor Dr David Whitworth November 2014 – 2018 Parent Governor Mrs Nia Meddins November 2014 – 2018 Parent Governor Miss Non Parri Roberts September 2016 – 2020 Parent Governor Mr Iestyn Pritchard September 2016 – 2020 Parent Governor Mrs Ann Owen November 2014 – 2018 Parent Governor Mrs Alwena Watkins November 2014 – 2018 Local Authority Cllr G P Fychan November 2014 – 2018 Local Authority Cllr D C Jones November 2014 – 2018 Local Authority Cllr Rachel Davies November 2014 – 2018 Community Mr Aled Griffiths November 2014 – 2018 Community Mr Iwan Morgan November 2014 - 2018 Community Mrs Heather Lloyd November 2014 – 2018 Community Mr Pennant Jones November 2014 – 2018 Additional Community Mrs Gwenfair Davies November 2014 – 2018 Local Authority Mr Gwion Aeron November 2014 – 2018 Support Staff Observer Miss Ceri Vaughan November 2014 – 2018 Observer Mrs Heulwen Jones November 2014 – 2018 Observer Mrs Mary Thomas November 2014 – 2018 Teacher Observer Miss Elain Heledd November 2014 – 2018 Parent Governor Observer Mrs Sioned Campbell November 2014 – 2018 Clerk Mrs Eleanor Jones Chair of Governors: Mr Gwion Aeron, Maes y Neuadd, Penegoes, Powys Clerk to the Governors: Mrs Eleanor Jones, Y Garth, Llanbrynmair, Powys, SY19 7AB. Parents will be informed of any elections for parent governors by the clerk of the Governing Body. Governing Body meetings The Governing Body meets every term to discuss school matters. Also there are many matters including the monitoring of standards and provision which are discussed regularly at meetings of the sub-committees. Governors have specific responsibilities for various aspects of school life and follow the Termly Monitoring Programme Members of the Governing Body also attended statutory and non-statutory training sessions. 2 Changes to Parent/Governors Annual meetings Section 94 of the Schools Standards and Organization (Wales) Act 2013 (the Act) makes important changes to the previous legislative arrangements regarding Annual Parents’/ Governors’ Meetings. It provides new arrangements where parents may request a meeting with a governing body. However, parents will need to satisfy four (4) statutory requirements to call a meeting, namely: (i) the parents of 10% of registered pupils, or the parents of 30 registered pupils (whichever is the lowest) must sign a petition requesting a meeting; (ii) the purpose of the meeting must be to discuss matters regarding the school; (iii) the maximum number of meetings parents may request in any school year is three (3); (iv) there must be enough school days left in the school year to allow for a meeting. Additionally: (a) the meetings must be held within a 25 day period; (b) the 25 day period begins on the day after receiving the petition, but does not include any days that are not school days; (c) if another meeting needs to be held due to a different petition, the 25 day period will not begin until the day after the other meeting has been held; (d) there must be enough days left in the school year to hold the meeting within the 25 day period; (e) meetings will be open to all parents of registered pupils at the school, the Headteacher and anyone else who is invited by the governing body; (f) notification of the meetings to parents must include the date, time and venue, as well as the matter or matters to be discussed For detailed information regarding statutory requirement, petitions and the process for holding a meeting, please follow this link: www.gov.wales/docs/dcells/publications/130503-statutory-guidance- parentsmeetings-en.p Travelling allowances for Governors No travelling cost claims were received from Governors during 2017-18. Review of Policies The school regularly reviews and assesses the success of all its processes regularly. We regularly review policies and some are available on the school’s website or hard copies can be requested from the Clerk. The Governing Body has reviewed the statutory and non-statutory policies and documents. The statutory policies reviewed are: Child Protection Policy Admissions Policy Safeguarding Policy Data Protection Policy Special Educational Needs Policy and Health and Saftey Policy Additional Learning Needs Curriculum Policy Strategic Equality Plan 2016 - 20 Data Protection Policy Pupil Disciplinary Policy (including bullying) Teacher’s Pay Policy 2016/17 Disciplinary Procedure for Teachers Equal Opportunities Policy Disciplinary Procedure for Support Staff Health and Safety Policy Disciplinary Procedure for Headteacher & Assistant Headteacher Capacity and Procedure Performance Policy Complaints Procedure Policy for Schools for Schools (teaching staff and non-teaching staff) 3 School Prospectus The prospectus has been reviewed in September 2017 and small amendments were made to reflect current dates and statistics according to guidelines received from the Welsh Assembly. In accordance with statutory rules, the prospectus is given to the parents of pupils who start full time education at the school. A copy of the prospectus is available from the school office or on the school website. School Language Policy Ysgol Glantwymyn is in a traditional Welsh area, and in accordance with Powys Education Authority’s policy, Welsh is the main teaching language of the school. Children are encouraged to speak Welsh both on the yard and during lessons with the exception of the English lessons (Years 3 – 6). Complaints Please discuss any concerns you may have with the Assistant Headteacher initially. You are also welcome to make an appointment to discuss any issues with the Headteacher. If issues are not resolved then parents should follow the guidelines outlined in the School’s Complaints Policy. This is available on the school website. Curriculum Statement The school aims to provide a balanced curriculum in accordance with the requirements of the National Curriculum in order to stimulate the educational, emotional and social development of each individual child. The practice and procedures of the Foundation Phase are in place. Differentiated strategies are used to develop the potential of every child to his/her full development. We aim to achieve the goals in a lively, intimate, interesting and creative way. The school policy documents can be viewed at the school in all subject areas; work plans in each subject area are also in place - in accordance with the guidelines of the National Curriculum. Pupils participate in sports as part of the curriculum and in extra-curricular activities.