FAIRWATER HIGH SCHOOL YSGOL UWCHRADD FAIRWATER GOVERNORS’ ANNUAL REPORT ADRODDIAD BLYNYDDOL Y LLYWODRAETHWYR SEPTEMBER 2013– JULY 2014 MEDI 2013– GORFFENNAF 2014 CHAIRPERSON: CADEIRYDD: Mrs R Seabourne, Fairwater High School, Mr D McChrystal, Ty Gwyn Way, Fairwater, Cwmbran, NP44 4YZ Interim Chief Education Officer, Tel No: 01633 643950 Torfaen County Borough Council, Civic Centre, Pontypool, NP4 6YB 1 Tel No: 01495 762200 ‘Evolving into Excellence’ 2014 - 2015 Fairwater High School has transformed into a high achieving, academic school. There have been phenomenal improvements across all areas of the school. We now have established a culture of high expectations, challenging targets and ambitious goals for every pupil. The outcome of these improvements is to give our pupils the best skills and qualifications they can possibly achieve to improve their life chances. These outstanding results mean that the school is in a very good position when compared with schools in Torfaen, as well as our ‘Family’ of schools (schools identified as ‘similar’ from across Wales). This has been achieved by all stakeholders i.e. pupils, parents / carers, staff and governors being prepared to raise their expectations and drive standards up. Significant improvement has been demonstrated in all areas i.e. GCSE and A Level results, Attendance and Punctuality, Behaviour and Teaching and Learning. Achievements in the classroom are matched by success in a very wide range of other areas. Pupils have the opportunity to participate in Music and Drama, with two major School Productions annually, and choral and orchestral performances. Team activities are a strength in all major sports with clubs at lunchtime, after school and before school encouraging still wider participation. The Sports Academy continues to give our school a distinctive identity and profile within the community. There is a wide range of extra curricular opportunities including Charity Work, Clubs and a wide variety of school visits / trips. Fairwater High School is continuing its success story.. The school is predicted to make fur- ther significant improvements this year that will secure our place at the top of the academic ladder. A further breakdown of these achievements is provided within this report. 2 The Governing Body 2013 / 2014 REPRESENTATIVE NAME ELECTED OR TERM OF APPOINTED BY OFFICE ENDS HEADTEACHER Mrs H Coulson Ex Officio N/A PARENTS Mrs G Evans Elected 11/2010 2014 Mrs S Jordan Elected 3/2013 2017 Mr P Kindred Elected 4/2013 2017 Mrs S Loder Re-elected 10/2010 2014 Mr R Phillips Elected 1/2011 2015 Dr J Williams Elected 3/2013 2017 TEACHER Mrs A Lawrence re-elected 9/2014 2015 Mrs J Bartley Elected 4/2014 2018 SUPPORT STAFF Mrs D Cornes Re-elected 12/2009 2014 LEA Mr C Hardwick Re-elected 6/2012 2016 Cllr P Seabourne Re-elected 6/2012 2017 Mrs R Seabourne Re-elected 11/2010 2014 Mr A Walker Elected 2/2013 2017 COMMUNITY Miss H Bateman Elected 7/2014 2018 Mrs S Baugh Elected 3/2013 2017 Mr M Poulton Re-elected 5/2012 2016 Mr P Schofield Re-elected 4/2012 2016 Mr M Ward-Jones Elected 1/2011 2015 HEAD BOY / HEAD GIRL Lydia Davies & Michael Brand 2014—Updated Governor Information At the time of publication, the following changes to the Governing Body have occurred: Mr J Slade resigned as LEA appointed Governor in January 2014 Mrs S Clifford, Community Governor, term ended March 2014 NEXT PARENT GOVERNOR ELECTIONS ARE DUE TO TAKE PLACE IN JANUARY 2015 3 School Session Times Session Form Lesson 1 Lesson Break Lesson 3 Lesson Lunch Lesson Times 2 4 5 Period Week 1 8.35 8.55 9.55 10.55 11.20 12.20 1.20 2 am am am am am pm pm pm Monday – - - - - - - - - Friday 8.55 9.55 10.55 11.20 12.20 1.20 2 3 am am am am pm pm pm pm Week 2 8.35 9.15 10.10 11.05 11.30 12.25 1.20 2 am am am am am pm pm pm Wed - - - - - - - - Only 9.15 10.10 11.05 11.30 12.25 1.20 2 3 (PSE) am am am am pm pm pm pm AUTUMN Term Mon Begins 01/09/14 Half Term Mon Begins 27/10/14 Half Term Fri Ends 31/10/14 Term Fri Ends 19/12/14 SPRING Term Mon Begins 05/01/15 Half Term Mon Begins 16/02/15 Half Term Fri Ends 20/02/15 Term Fri Ends 27/03/015 SUMMER Term Mon Begins 13/04/15 May Day Mon 04/05/15 Half Term Mon Begins 25/05/15 Half Term Fri Ends 29/05/15 Term Fri Ends 17/07/15 4 School Planning 2014 - 2015 Our overall aim is to continue to raise standards of pupil achievement so that we are one of the top achieving schools in Wales . Our priorities for the coming year are: Continuing to improve standards across all areas To continue to develop pupils skills, specifically in Literacy and Numeracy To continue to improve the quality of Teaching and Learning, and therefore the standards within les- sons To continue to raise pupils’ expectations so that they become ambitious and have a ‘can do’ attitude Attendance Information Authorised and Unauthorised Absence 2013 / 2014 92.5% was the target set for 2013—2014. 93.9% attendance achieved in 2013-2014. The recommendation for 2014—2015 is to set the overall target as 94%, with the unauthorised attendance target set at 0.5%. This has been agreed by the Governing Body and Local Authority. ABSENCE AUTHORISED UNAUTHORISED ATTENDANCE AUTUMN 5.9% 0.6% 93.6% TERM SPRING 5.5% 0.4% 94.1% TERM SUMMER 4.7% 0.6% 94.6% TERM TOTAL (average) 5.6% 0.5% 93.9% Review of Policies, Procedures and Strategies All Policies & Procedures are reviewed by the Governing Body when required. School Strategies are reflected in our Policies & Procedures and School Improvement Plan. School Prospectus Our school prospectus can be viewed and downloaded from our website: www.fairwaterhighschool.co.uk . Hard copies are also available from the school. Premises Further DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) work completed during Summer recess. Ongoing survey work (civil engineering, asbestos, electrical etc) in relation to forthcoming amalgamation of Llantarnam & Fairwater school in September 2015. New lighting, redecoration and carpeting in Lower School classrooms due to storm damage sustained during last year. Refurbishment of existing Drama Hall i.e. fire exit and corridor to comply with fire risk assessment. General maintenance throughout the school (toilets, classrooms etc.) to maintain existing standards for pupils. 5 Community Links Hobbits Garden Club Fairwater School has a dedicated garden for the ‘Hobbits Garden Club’ run by Ms Black. The Garden Club opened its greenhouse doors again at the beginning of March and everyone was encouraged to get involved. The garden now sports a poly-tunnel kindly donated by Communities First, which is being used to grow plants, vegetables and flowers from seed. The aim is to use produce from the garden to make soup that can be sold to raise funds for the club. They have already successfully achieved 2nd place in the inter-school cookery competition at Abergavenny Food Festival last year. Lauren Hughes Crime Prevention Over the past few years, Inclusion, have been running very successful sessions with the Cynon Valley Crime Prevention Team and Gwent Police. The pupils are always supported to grow in confidence in a positive environment , discussing problem areas within the community and taking part in activities and projects that have enhanced their knowledge and providing them with a better understanding of local and regional issues. Work Experience We have a number of pupils that are currently on extended work placements, allowing them to gain the experience and knowledge of work life. Work experience is giving them the confidence to make positive decisions, allowing them to reach their potential goals when they leave education. Families First We have a growing number of pupils and families supported by this organisation which promotes the devel- opment of personal skills and allows access for work with counsellors and education psychology. Communities First Communities First provide a target group of Key Stage 3 pupils with personal development skills, most specifically dealing with conflict and self-esteem. Pupil Scheme Two groups of Key Stage 3 pupils are working positively with Pupil Scheme in developing their friendship skills and awareness of personal safety issues. Prevent Prevent are providing many pupils in Key Stage 4 with alternative curriculum opportunities. Programs that promote engagement and confidence building are incorporated into the FRU curriculum for some pupils. Pupils access the Military Preparation BTEC course. 6 School Trips A large number of school trips took place during 2013 / 2014 Welsh Celebration—Disneyland Paris Ski trip to St Anton, Austria Art Trip to Paris Languages Trip to Paris Emmanuel College, Cambridge Taster Days at Usk & Pontypool Campuses Landscape painting & drawing field study visit Vue Cinema, Cwmbran Young Consumer Quiz—Council Chambers, Civic Centre, Pontypool Step-Up Programme—Cardiff University Abergavenny Food Festival Scribblers Tour National Museum Cardiff and Art Gallery Cardiff Bay UCAS Pupil Convention—UWIC, Cardiff Geography fieldtrips Llangrannog Urdd Camp weekend Reward trips 7 Pupil Achievement Young Consumers Quiz Recently 4 of our Year 12 students took part in a Torfaen Trading Standards Consumer Quiz against St. Albans School, West Monmouth School and Llantarnam School at the potentially intimidating Standards Office of Torfaen Council, with a mixed audience of council officials, the public and teachers. The students taking part were: Joshua Hurn, Eleanor Kennard, Thea Marshall and Emily Birbeck. They were accompanied by Mrs Redman, who congratulated them on their confidence and positive attitude on the day.