Sennybridge Primary School - Ysgol Gynradd Pontsenni Annual Governors’ Report to Parents / Guardians Adroddiad Blynyddol Y Llywodraethwyr i Rieni 2019 - 2020
Rev’d Paul Wilding School Contact Details Head teacher: Mr. Ashley Bennett Dear Parents, Admin Officer: Mrs Mae Davies Sennybridge Primary School, Defynnog Road, We thank Mrs. E. Watts for her very able Sennybridge, Brecon, LD3 8RS Telephone: 01874 636268 leadership of the school as acting headteacher until December 2019. During that Autumn term we had E-mail: office@sennybridge.powys.sch.uk Other contact details: a busy time including a very successful Christmas The Chair of Governors: Rev Paul Wilding, Bryn concert and Christingle. A big thank you to all who Orsaf, Station Yard, Sennybridge. Tel: 01874 supported us during that time. 638927
The Clerk: SennybridgeThe Governors Primary 2019- 20 School Tel: In January 2020 we welcomed Mr. A. Bennett as 01874 636268 Governor Category Term our new headteacher and looked forward to the Expires school being led forward in preparing for the new Rev Paul Wilding Chair Local Authority Aug ‘21 Mrs Janet Watkins Community Sept ‘21 curriculum and then in mid-March the school was Vice Chair closed due to the Covid-19 crisis. This meant that Mr Evan Morgan Local Authority Aug ‘20 Mr Edwin Roderick Local Authority Dec ‘21 most learning had to be moved online, a huge Mrs J Roderick Community Nov ‘20 thankyou to all our teachers and all our staff for Mr G. Robson Parent Sep ‘20 Mrs Julie Lewis Parent Jun ‘23 stepping up to this ask and for providing tasks and Mrs Sabrina Neill Parent Oct ‘23 support to our pupils. Mr Andrew Lewis Minor Authority Oct ‘20 Mr Gareth Davies Community Nov ‘21 Mrs Emma Watts Teaching Rep Jan ‘23 All this has resulted in the cancellation of many Mrs Jayne Evans Non-Teaching Rep Mar ‘23 Mr Ashley Bennett Head teacher - activities which would normally take place during Local Authority Clerk - our school year, especially the leaver’s assembly. We Mr Ceri W Price Observer - wish all those leaving to go to other schools all the Term Dates 2020/2021 – subject to Powys confirmation Autumn Term 2020 very best for their futures and hope that they will 2nd September – 16th October settle well in their new schools. Half term holiday – 19th October – 30th October 2nd November - 18th December Spring Term 2021 We would like to thank all our staff, parents, 5th January – 12th February Half term holiday – 15th February – 19th February pupils and many others for their support and 22nd February – 26th March encouragement during this last year. We look Summer Term 2021 forward to our eventual return to school and Tuesday 13th April - Friday 28th May Half term holiday - 31st May - 4th June working through new conditions necessary for the Monday 7th June - Friday 16th July safety of everyone, to begin developing and Non-Pupil Days 20/21 delivering the new curriculum. Tuesday 1st September Monday 21st December Tuesday 22nd December Monday 4th January On behalf of the Governing Body, Monday 12th April Good Friday: Friday 2nd April 2021 Easter Monday: Monday 5th April 2021 May Day Bank Holiday: Monday 3rd May 2021 Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 31st May 2021 Royal Welsh Show: Monday 19th July to Thursday 22nd July 2021
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The Governing Body
The full Governing Body met at least termly throughout the academic year. Governors discussed and made a variety of decisions regarding staffing, premises and budgetary matters. A number of sub- committees dealt with specific aspects of school business. In addition to these formal meetings Governors visited the school to enjoy concerts, assemblies, sporting and fund-raising events and to undertake curriculum monitoring activities prior to the enforced closure in March 2020 caused by the pandemic. Following this, the Governing Body conducted its duty via email and Team’s meetings. No claims for reimbursement were received or payments made to members of the Governing Body during the school year 2019/20.
As a result of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013, arrangements enable parents to petition up to 3 meetings in any school year with a governing body, on matters relating to the school which are of concern to them. No meetings were requested in 2019/20. Further information can be obtained from the Welsh Government’s website under ‘Parents Meetings’. The address for service of a petition requesting a meeting with the Governing Body is:
F.A.O. Headteacher / Chair of Governors Parents are encouraged to approach the school Sennybridge Primary School at the earliest opportunity to discuss any Defynnog Road, Sennybridge concerns. We always value your views on school Brecon LD3 8RS Or by email: [email protected] related matters.
Complains Procedure
The Governing Body recognises that it is important for concerns and complaints to be dealt with appropriately and dealt with promptly, fairly and thoroughly. We hope that concerns can be addressed informally by your child’s class teacher in the first instance and we would encourage you to make an appointment to discuss any queries or concerns you may have regarding your child’s education. If you feel that your concern has not been resolved, please contact the head teacher immediately. If the head teacher has not satisfactorily dealt with the concern or complaint and you wish to take the matter forward, the school has a formal complaints procedure. A copy of this is available on request and is displayed on the school website under the category ‘policies.’
Staffing Structure for 2020-2021
Class Year Group Teacher Class 1 English R, 1 and 2 Mrs Emma Watts Class 2 Welsh R,1 and 2 Mrs Bronwen Thomas and Mr Ceri Price Class 3 Welsh Yr 3,4,5 and 6 Mrs Heulwen Stevens and Mr Ceri Price Class 4 English Yr 2,3,4 Mrs Jo Richards and Mr Ceri Price Class 5 English Yr 4, 5,6 Miss Lowri Vaughan and Mr Ceri Price
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Numbers on roll: Autumn Term 19: 126 Spring Term 20: 126 Summer Term 20: 125 Admissions: The school complies with local authority guidelines. There is one intake each September, the beginning of the Autumn Term, after a child has had their fourth birthday.
Support Staff Role Mrs Bethan Williams LSA Mrs Carolyn Havard LSA Mr D.Evans LSA/ Midday Supervisor Mrs Bronwen Auld LSA/ Midday Supervisor Mrs Jayne Evans LSA/ Midday Supervisor Miss Charlene Colwell LSA/ Midday Supervisor Mrs Louise Walker LSA Mr M. Davies Administration officer Mrs Sally Hockey Cleaner in charge Mr Peter Byrne Assistant cleaner Mrs Shelly Davies Cook in Charge Mrs Andrena Ferguson Catering assistant
Visiting Peripatetic Staff Instrument/Other Mrs Lynne Allen Welsh Second Language support Mrs C. Walker Piano Mrs L. Hanslow Woodwind Mrs S. Belsey- Wood Singing Miss C. Edwards Violin
Extra-Curricular Clubs…. Many thanks to staff and parent volunteers /community friends for offering extra-curricular support and clubs to enhance and support children’s skills throughout the year.
These included: Netball, Rugby, Football, Chess, Maths, Choir, ICT, Urdd, Gwella Cymraeg
(Improving Welsh), Dance, Hip Hop and Knitting. Special thanks to our volunteers: Mrs G.Williams, Mr E. Jones, Mrs J.Jones, Mrs J. Williams, Mrs E. Parry, Mrs T. Morgan, Mr and Mrs Kenchington, Mr and Mrs Evans-Taylor. .
Staff/ Governor Development
The governors are committed to providing opportunities for high quality continuing professional development in order to raise the standards of teaching, learning and care of pupils at Sennybridge Primary School. Staff and governors have attended courses throughout the year to enhance the delivery of the curriculum and their responsibilities within the school in line with the school improvement plan. Training has included Governor induction, Child Protection, Understanding school data. Following March, some courses have been provided digitally.
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Bilingualism
Bilingualism is the ability to live part of your daily life in two languages. Welsh and English provision exists side by side at Sennybridge Primary School, which is a category 2 – dual stream school. In the Welsh stream, pupils are taught solely through the medium of Welsh in Foundation Phase (up to the age of 7). Welsh continues to be the main teaching medium at Key Stage 2 (ages 7 to 11), and English is introduced as a subject. In the English Stream, all pupils are taught Welsh as a second language and assessed at the end of Key Stage 2. The use of incidental Welsh is encouraged across the curriculum and throughout the school day. The
school was successful in achieving the Siarter Iaith Bronze award and is now working hard to achieve the silver award. Due to the Covid situation, we were unable to be assessed for the silver award but this will be a priority when we return
to school properly.
Useful contacts: WAG - a Welsh Government website to encourage parents and prospective parents to raise their children bilingually. http://cymraeg.llyw.cymru/learning/ The school has close transition links with Sennybridge Nursery- Meithrinfa Pontsenni which is held on site in the annexe at Sennybridge Primary School on Monday - Fridays. The nursery supports both English and Welsh medium education.
Attendance
Attendance figures for 2019-2020 have not been released due to the pandemic situation. The school’s target was 96.7%
The school monitors attendance and punctuality on a regular basis. Absence from school is a contributing factor in low pupil achievement, so Welsh Government continues to target attendance. Parents are encouraged to take holidays when school is closed or these days may be recorded as unauthorised absences.
School Visits/ Visitors
Transition visits.. Brecon High-Yr 5/6 Transition English/Welsh Playgroup-Foundation Phase Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera- Y 4/5/6 Transition Yr 4 /5 Project and Concert
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School Visits and Journeys. Some of our visitors.. Defynog Church-Whole School PC Skyrme- Police School Liaison visits Theatr Brycheiniog- Class 2 Rev P. Wilding -Worship
Cardiff Castle- Class 1 and 2 Huw Rees/Karen Lawrence - LA Challenge Advisor Hay Literary Festival KS2 Rob Walters- ICT Powys C.C. advisor Jambori –Ystradgynlais Derrin Gaskell – Powys Additional learning Needs
A celebration of Welsh Medium Education Advisor Cardiff Museum – Class 3 Alun Flyn – Educational Psychologist. Catherine Morgan- Education Welfare Officer
Unfortunately, the pandemic prevented residential Health Advisors- Martha Rees-Visual and further trips from taking place. We will be Hannah Slater-Speech and Language working on this when returning to school. Sam Rutherford-School Nurse
Cycling Proficiency trainer -Joy Steen Steve Sutton-Craion Photographs Sam Kelland- Powys Dance
Tudur Rees- Menter Iaith Lynne Allen- Athrawes bro
Organised sporting activities
Pupils usually participate in sporting activities, including cross country, swimming, rugby, netball, football, cricket and dance taking part in Urdd and other local competition. Extra-curricular clubs were led by school staff and volunteers prior to March. ‘Golden Leaf’ celebration assemblies were used to celebrate the achievements of pupils on a weekly basis prior to March.
Health and Hygiene Hygiene The school water systems are checked monthly for legionella bacteria and the toilets and cloakrooms are cleaned thoroughly each evening. Pupils are encouraged to form good hygiene habits from a young age. This has been a particular focus since the pandemic. Healthy Living Children have continued to enjoy using a range of play equipment donated by the PTA during their break times. The senior school councillors and Year 6 pupils continued to encourage pupils to eat fresh produce by selling fruit at break-times. Pupils enjoy using the Adventure trail. Children have been encouraged to follow healthy lifestyles and to keep hydrated during the day by accessing clean drinking water. Water bottles continue to be available to purchase for classroom use. Police Liaison
The school engages in the All Wales School Liaison Programme, designed to educate young people about some of the challenges that affect our society today. PC Skyrme has been developing the partnership work between the school and police, which has impacted positively in promoting pupil awareness of personal and community responsibilities. During the pandemic, the school has shared useful resources via the use of Schoop and Hwb.
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Events 2019-2020
September March • Mc Millan Coffee Morning Jamboree Ystradgynlais • KS2 Tretower court World Book day • KS2 science work shop Local urdd October Class 5 Llangrannog • Harvest festival Welsh water Workshop Nursery transition • FP Rhondda Heritage Park Y5&6 Candelas Gig in Builth
Eisteddfod in Brecon November • Children in need • Christmas Bingo • Remembrance Day Assembly • Trallong Eisteddford December • Christmas Concerts • Christmas Fair • FP Little Red riding hood • KS2 horrible histories January • Powys Dance project started • Y6 Science workshop • Violinist Strings perform for whole school February • Urdd Netball Tournament • Safer internet day • St Davis’s day concert • Eco management day Y5&6
Other Achievements of pupils and the local community
Congratulations to all those pupils who took part in this year’s Urdd Eisteddfod. Many pupils entered a wide range of local competitions and events and progressed successfully to the final round. Many congratulations to all those who joined in the fun and a big thank you to Mrs Gwyneth Williams, to parents, staff, for all their support. Several pupils successfully passed instrumental examinations this year. Instrumental lessons are available on a weekly basis by our peripatetic staff for pupils to learn a wide range of musical instruments.
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Fund Raising Events/ Donations
A big thank you we are very grateful for the donations received during the financial year of April 2019- April 2020… Event Funds Raised School based Macmillan Community Coffee Morning £446.00 Harvest Collection £135.00 School Disco £267.00 Christmas Cards £86.85 Rags to Riches Clothing £196.75 Children in Need £182.78 Christingle £79.00 Christmas Concerts £1185.00 Photos £205.50 NSPCC non-uniform day. £109.00 School Sleep over £1413.00 Air Ambulance £177.00 Save the children £88.00 Total raised to date £2069.60 PTA Fundraising Acorn antics £223.99 ‘Spooktacular’ Quiz night £681.33 PTA Bingo Christmas £446.54 Christmas Fayre £324.70 Total £1676.56
School Fund This account is separate from the delegated school budget and is where such monies as donations, contributions to school activities / trips, school organised fund-raising activities etc is placed. This account is externally audited on an annual basis and scrutinised by the Governing Body.
Standards- Curriculum Organisation and Development
Children in our Foundation Phase (Reception to year 2) experience the Foundation Phase curriculum and the statutory requirements as set out in the ‘Framework for Children’s Learning for 3-7 year olds in Wales.’ From Year 3 to Year 6 (Juniors) children follow the statutory programmes of study as outlined in the National Curriculum in Wales. The new curriculum is being developed and staff carefully plan to ensure curriculum requirements are successfully implemented and enable children to experience a wide range of teaching styles; including whole class, mixed ability groups, gender groups, paired and individual approaches to learning. The School Development Plan targets specific curriculum areas and other areas of the work of the school for improvement. These targets are monitored and reported on termly basis, this is checked through core visits from Powys Challenge advisor.
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Priorities and progress on school Development plan Priority 1 - To further raise standards in English reading and increase the percentage of pupils achieving the expected level in the Foundation Phase English medium from 53.8% to 66%. Areas for continued improvement • Incerts Monitoring end of key stage show most pupils have made in their reading since September in both the Foundation phase and Key stage 2. All pupils on track to achieve their targets. • Giglets reading program purchased. Reading program which can be used as a whole class or by pupils individually. This is a bilingual resource. • Giglets training for teaching staff 2/10/19, passwords distributed. • Governor monitoring listening to learners focused on reading. Nearly all Pupils read confidently and fluently. Nearly all pupils were able to decode unfamiliar words, through a variety of strategies. Nearly all pupils were able to discuss what their books in great detail and predict what was going to happen next. • Outdoor reading area continues to be developed. Priority 2-To increases % of Foundation phase pupils achieving O5+ in welsh 2nd language by the end of Y2. To increase the % of pupils achieving L4 at the end of KS2 • Nearly all foundation phase pupils have made progress in Welsh second language. Majority of Pupils in key stage 2. • Foundation phase staff attended Tric a Chlic training course. • Welsh is time tabled across the school. • Teachers share expertise. LV supporting foundation phase class LSA’s using language patterns. • Evidence of sentence building ks2 Pa Glwb? Scheme continues to be followed. • F Phase y2 pupils have separate welsh book for writing. KS2 separate welsh language books Cross curricular work Rugby World Cup, Laura Ashley. • Bilingual Outdoor reading area in process of being created. Priority 3-To raise the status and foster pride and ownership of the Welsh language and encourage the use of the language Socially. • Strong good progress reported in Core visit Summer Term • Most pupils are confidently engaging in the scheme and their newly acquired knowledge has given them more confidence to choose a Welsh book and read simple books independently. • The Criw Cymraeg have been very active in producing a Welsh ‘Croeso’ mural. This has enhanced the Welsh ethos of the school. The school has purchased a number of signs to enhance the outdoor learning environment. For example, Cwtsh Cymraeg, Welsh reading area development of the woodland. As a result, this has enriched the outdoor area and the Welsh ethos of the school. Most pupils are more confident and keener to practice using their Welsh on the yard while participating in Welsh yard games and have a more positive attitude to the language. • The school continues to make strong progress in raising the profile of Welsh around the school. All staff model the use of incidental Welsh in class and around the school well, for example through greetings and simple phrases and in whole school assemblies. In ks2 targets on dragons tongue visual targets to improve welsh oracy and every day welsh in the class room. • The school continues to successfully develop pupils 'awareness of Welsh music through celebrating Owain Glyndwr day, Shwmae, Shwmae day. Leaders have analysed and have produced a detailed action plan. The school was to be assessed against the standards of Silver Award of the Siarter Iaith in June 2020. The Athrawes Fro continues to support the school during half termly visits to deliver the Welsh scheme and to • To continue to support and encourage Criw Cymraeg. • To update displays and monitor Siarter Iaith targets.
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• Track targets for silver award. New SDP Target 3 provide support for the Campus Cymraeg Silver Award. Welsh language learning is being offered to parents. Priority 4- To increase pupil’s awareness of the impact their actions have on the environment and others through the introduction of a school eco group (Linked to the ethically informed citizens element of the four core purposes) The Eco committee has been re-established and meet on a regular basis. • EW met with Schools eco-advisor 13/09/19 • JR attended eco training • Eco pupil questionnaires completed. • EW & JR create plan to achieve green flag and share with staff. • Eco plan to achieve green flag and targets shared with staff. • Links to community and local business. Woodland area fenced and developed, funded provided by National grid and National parks. • Bird feeders made, bird houses and bat boxes installed. Ecologist Andrew Whitelee spoke to pupils about supporting wildlife in the woodland. • Outdoor learning equipment purchased to enhance playground and also foundation phase area. Priority 5- To maintain quality strategic direction of the school, in light of the new SMT • EW met with AB 25/10/19 to ensure smooth hand over January 2020. • Staff questionnaire completed. • Governing body questionnaire completed. • Curriculum standards monitoring related to SDP priority 1. • Acting head teacher performance management completed. • New Headteacher performance management completed and objectives agreed. Priority 6- To promote independent learning for foundation phase and key stage 2 • EW and CP met with Luke Carter to look at achieving CAM 5 heathy schools. • Training New AOLe health and wellbeing. • Staff introduced to ROWNd tasks.
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SCHOOL POLICIES / PROSPECTUS
The Governing body is continually reviewing school policies on a rolling programme and over the last year, a number of policies were revised and approved. These included: Safeguarding, Child Protection, Charging and General Data Protection The school information pack/ prospectus is updated annually to include any changes required by the Welsh Government or other related bodies. Updates include staffing, calendar of dates, school routines, school results and targets as a result of self-analysis of current practices. The prospectus is available on the school website.
ADDITIONAL LEARNING NEEDS
Arrangements for those pupils with additional learning needs have been monitored both within the school and by external advisors. Support mechanisms have been put in place in order to best fit each child’s individual needs. During the year there were twenty pupils listed on the ALN register, one statement, twelve school action plus category and seven pupils at school action. Intervention programmes have included strategies such as; speech therapy, Nessy literacy, precision teaching and basic skills work. External support has included hearing/visual impairment support and speech therapy sessions.
HEALTH AND SAFETY / PREMISES
Governors have been kept fully informed about Health and Safety issues within the school grounds and day to day repair work has taken place throughout the year. The school has worked in line with the guidance relating to the Covid 19 section.
FINANCE
Financial accounts / Progress of budget The local authority provides the school with a budget for each financial year based primarily on pupil numbers. Governors then decide how this money should be allocated and agree a budget that is followed for the year. This account is monitored continually by School management staff, the local authority and the Governing Body.
Summary statement for actual expenditure for the year. Any underspend is transferred across to the following academic year and is used to supplement the decreasing school budget.
Summary Total Funding £530,305
Expenditure Salaries & wages £451,310 Premises £72,354 Supplies, Office and other expenses £32,424 Total income £41,187 Total Net Expenditure £514,901 In-year overspend £0 Based on September breakdown
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Where did they go? At the end of their time with us in Sennybridge, our children left to begin their secondary schooling in various schools. We wish them well on the next stage of their journey.
Brecon H.S. Ysgol Gyfun Maesydderwen Penmaes Christ Llandovery TOTAL Ystalyfera H.S. College College 12 0 2 0 1 0 15
Due to the Covid situation, all data and statements are based from September 2019 – March 2020. From March 2020, pupils had learning provided via Home Learning using Hwb. The focus was on promoting wellbeing. For the last four weeks of school, ‘Check in, Catch-up and prepare for Summer’ days were offered to all pupils.
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