ADRODDIAD BLYNYDDOL Y
LLYWODRAETHWYR I’R RHIENI
GOVERNORS’ ANNUAL REPORT TO
PARENTS
2015 – 2016
Foreword by the Chairman of the Governing Body
It is a privilege to present another report as Chairman of the Governors.
The primary objective of creating, planting or establishing anything is the expectation that it will survive and flourish – be it a plant, a tree, an organisation or a school. That is certainly true of Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman which was established to preserve and nurture a language and culture that was slowly becoming marginal. Look through the annals of every Welsh medium school in Wales and you will see that they have all survived, thrived and expanded – and our school is no exception. Some people may contend that it has taken a considerable time to achieve our present standing – that is not significant but the fact remains that parents in this locality now have the right and the opportunity to choose the category of education they prefer for their children and no-one can take that entitlement away from them.
All children have reached the expected outcome at the end of the Foundation Stage (end of year 2) with a significant number reaching a higher than expected result in the areas assessed.
Similarly, there are excellent results at the end of Key Stage 2 (end of year 6) with many achieving one level higher than expected with a few having reached a standard that is two levels higher than anticipated.
On a personal note, I consider it a privilege that I have been associated with the school from the very beginning – ‘ Festri Ebeneser’; the old primary school; the present building and now the extension which has doubled the size of the school. “Every day seems a lifetime” but “Persistence wins the day”. Yes, there have been obstacles and difficulties throughout the years, but we can chorus the words of Dafydd Iwan’s song, “Despite everyone’s trammel and every obstruction we are still here”.
Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman is vibrant, and it continues to expand and develop – we have already created an excellent school, and it is our fervent hope that we may, by dint of the education and guidance provided here, “convey to future generations that beauty endowed to us”.
Yours sincerely,
Jean Huw Jones.
Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman
Ammanford
SA18 2NS
Ffôn: 01269 593081
e-mail admin@rhydaman.ysgolccc.org.uk
Number on Roll: 290
Governors’ Annual Report 2015-2016
Name and Address of the Chairman to the Governing Body
Mrs. J H Jones,
Dolawenydd,
Park Road,
Betws,
Ammanford.
Chairman: 2015/2016 Mrs J H Jones
Vice-chairman: 2015/2016 Mr. D Jones
Clerk to the Governing Body
Mrs. Alison Lincoln,
District School Support Manager,
Ysgol Y Bedol,
Garnant,
Ammanford.
Register of Governors:-
Information about the next election of parent governors.
Parent governors will be elected towards the end of the term of office of the four parent governors named above. Nomination forms will be distributed shortly before the relevant dates to all parents at the school. Where more than one nomination is received, an election is held. Only the parents may nominate / elect parent governors.
School Staff
Headteacher – Mr. Geraint Davies
Assistant Headteacher - Mrs. Anwen Minchin
Teachers
Mr. D. Thomas
Miss J. Evans
Mrs. C. Gruffydd
Mrs. C. Matthews
Mrs. B. Morgan
Mrs. W. Fisher
Mrs. I. O’Sullivan
Mrs. E. Millns
Mrs. C. Jones
Mrs. S. Williams
Miss B. George
Miss A. Williams
Miss A. Hughes
Miss L. Evans
Mrs. H. Hurd
Miss C. Campbell
Administrative Assistants
Miss L. Davies, Mrs. N. Morgan
Caretaker and Cleaners
Mrs. S. Price, Miss A. Cousins, Miss B. Griffiths
Classroom Assistants
Miss S. Thomas, Miss Nadia Cresci, Miss Naomi Cresci, Miss A Jones
Mrs. L. Pritchard
Peripatetic Music Teachers
Mr. M. Thorne, Mrs. J. Rowbury, Mrs. C. David Jones, Mrs. E. Robins,
Mrs. N. Clwyd Davies
Mid-day Supervisors
Mrs. E. Hale, Mrs. Rh. Jones, Miss S. Thomas, Miss N. Cresci, Miss N. Cresci,
Miss A Jones, Mrs. H. Hurd, Mrs. L. Pritchard, Mrs. N. Morgan.
School Meals Clerk - Mrs. Rh. Jones
Action taken as a result of any decision made at the last meeting.
It was agreed not to hold an annual meeting with parents (in accordance with the new arrangements) because attendance is extremely low and because a wide range of meetings between staff and parents are held annually, with the majority of the parents attending.
Parents and Governors Meetings.
Parents may request up to three meetings a year with the governing body by means of a petition. The governing body will arrange a meeting within 25 school days of receiving a request, if:
1. The petition contains the signatures of the required minimum number of parents of
registered pupils at the school, whichever is the lower of the following:
10% of parents of registered pupils,
30 parents of registered pupils.
2. The meeting requested by parents must be to discuss matters relating to the school.
3. There will be no more than three meetings held during the academic year in which the
petition is received.
4. There are sufficient school days left in the school year to hold the meeting.
A Summary of any changes to the school prospectus since the previous governors’ report was presented.
To promote personal fitness and healthy eating, the healthy food lifestyle programme ‘Appetite for Life’ is being followed. These arrangements have been adopted by both staff and governors.
The Language Category that best describes the school.
This school is defined as a Welsh-Medium Primary School in accordance with Information Document Number: 023/2007 (WAG) 'Defining Schools According to Welsh Medium Provision’.
Percentage of time learning taught in Welsh.
All areas of learning are taught in Welsh (100% of teaching time) in the Foundation Phase (3-7 years) and all subjects except English through the medium of Welsh (85% of teaching time) at Key Stage 2. Welsh is the medium of communication at each meeting before, during and after school hours for children and teachers.
A statement on the curriculum and the organisation of education and teaching methods in school.
Pupils are taught by year groups as specified in the national curriculum, where possible. Classes include pupils from the same academic year. Pupils from different school years may be taught together for sporting activities, music, preparing for performances and concerts or to meet the needs of certain pupils. Dedicated members of staff support pupils with a statement of their special educational needs. Pupils with additional learning needs are taught in groups either within their classrooms or withdrawn into other teaching areas, in order to create a learning environment that best fits the nature of the task.
The curriculum is the mechanism by which the school delivers to its pupils the abilities, the understanding, the skills and knowledge that will enable them to take their place as active and valuable citizens in their community.
The Foundation Stage Curriculum is presented to Reception 1, Reception 2, Year 1 and Year 2. The following areas of learning are delivered to the pupils. Personal and Social Development, Cultural Diversity and Welfare, Language, Literacy and Communication, Mathematical Development, Knowledge and Understanding of the World, Physical Development and Creative Development. The pupils are usually taught by following a theme but some of the work, especially in the areas of language and mathematics, are prepared specifically for developing necessary skills.
This provision will extend naturally into the Key Stage 2 curriculum where the following subjects aretaught: Welsh, English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, History, Geography, Design and Technology, Art, Music, Physical Education and Religious Education. Again at KS2 our teaching methods offer a balance between learning through themes and subject learning, particularly in developing basic skills
The National Literacy and Numeracy Framework has been integrated into the school curriculum to meet the educational requirements of teaching at the two Key Stages. The literacy and numeracy skills are developed naturally through the schemes of work devised by teachers for each lesson, as are the thinking skills and the skills required to utilise information technology and communication. In addition, we, daily, facilitate the acquisition of personal and social skills and the pursuit of further knowledge about Wales via the ‘Cwricwlwm Cymreig.
Teachers and pupils in conjunction devise the schemes of work. As a result there are high levels of interest and motivation instilled into the learners and through this interest there is desirable behaviour and attitudes.
Every pupil in the school follows the national curriculum in full. No pupil is excluded from developing the
curriculum. Pupils with a statement of additional educational needs are supported individually by classroom assistants. Pupils who are less able, are of average ability or are more able are supported in all areas of learning / subject by school staff as well as professionals who usually work within the Department of Education and Children. It is customary for parents, local clubs and organisations to support the development of the skills in children of all abilities through the activities they offer.
Progress on the School Improvement Plan and the school's Action Plan following an ESTYN inspection.
The Headteacher, teachers and governors are part of the ongoing process of ensuring that the targets that were set are being met. School priorities were clearly defined in the SDP. The Challenge Adviser and governors regularly visit the school to monitor progress and agree on priorities. The school governors and the Local Authority agree that the recommendations received following the Estyn Inspection in 2010 have been resolved.
Progress towards achieving the targets of the School Development Plan.
Priority 1
Improving the performance of the Year 2 cohort in Outcome 5 and Outcome 6 by the end of the Foundation Phase.
Target 1
100% of Year 2 pupils attain the Foundation Phase Indicator.
Result
The target has been achieved.
Target 2
41% of Year 2 pupils attain Outcome 6 in Language, Literacy & Communication and Mathematical Development by the end of the Foundation Phase.
Result
The results surpass the target.
Language, Literacy &Communication – Outcome 6 - 48%
Mathematical Development – Outcome 6- 52%
Priority 2
Improving the results of MAT pupils in Year 6 at national reading tests in English and numerical reasoning tests.
Target 3
Pupils' results in the national reading test in English place the school in the 2nd quartile for the percentage attaining the standardised score of 115 or higher in the summer term 2016.
Result
The national results are yet to bepublished.
Target 4
Pupils' results in the numerical reasoning test place the school in the 2nd quartile for the percentage attaining the standardised score of 115 or higher in the summer term 2016.
Result
The national results are yet to be published.
Priority 3
Maintaining the current levels of performance in literacy and numeracy over the next three years (the issue here is associated with the best use of the PDG and SIG).
Targets 5, 6 and 7.
100% of FSM pupils achieve the expected outcome in the core areas of learning at the end of their school year in 2016.
100% of KS2 FSM pupils reach the expected level in the core subjects at the end of their school year in 2016.
100 %of the pupils in the intervention groups attain the FPI and CSI in the summer of 2016.
Results for Targets 5, 6 and 7
All FSM pupils achieved the expected outcome or level at the end of their school year.
43% of FSM pupils achieved an outcome or a level higher than anticipated at the end of their school year
Progress in the Action Plan following the recommendations of the latest Estyn Inspection Report (2010).
Action taken to strengthen and develop links with the community.
The ESTYN inspection report commented upon the very useful links thats chool has with the community. They have been fostered again this year. Examples are given below
School Community Links (i).
Termly meetings of the Governing Body.
Meetings of the sub-committees of the Governing Body.
Visits to the school by members of the Governing Body.
Governor attendance at school activities.
Reports submitted by governors.
Termly parents' evenings :
· to receive information about the taught curriculum and to offer advice on ways of
supporting pupils at home,
· to set individual targets for pupils,
· for parents to see the children's school work,
to discuss progress and progress reports.
PTA Activities (ii).
Again this year the PTA has been very active. The staff and governors of the school wish to extend their thanks to the PTA, its officers, members and friends for their help and support. We appreciate your efforts and the pupils have benefited greatly as a result of your hard work. A substantial amount was raised for the funds again this year. Splendid!
The following experiences wereprovided by the school staff and community members for the benefit of our pupils (iii).
- The school’s Harvest Thanksgiving Service at Gellimanwydd Chapel.
- The pupils’ Christmas Show. Thanks for your support with the children's costumes.
- Spring Concert.
- Musical performances by the school in the community.
- Links with Ammanford Town Council.
- Entertained the residents of Tegfan Residential Home, Ammanford.
- Participated in the School Eisteddfod, the local Amman Urdd Eisteddfod, the
Carmarthenshire Eastern District Eisteddfod and the Urdd National Eisteddfod.
- The pupils went on a number of visits to the surrounding community.
- The pupils enjoyed residential visits to Llangrannog and the Outdoor Activity Centre at
Pendine.
- Class educational outings.
- School Swimming Gala, Carmarthenshire Eastern District Swimming Gala, and the
National Urdd Swimming Gala.
- Arad Goch Theatre entertained the school's pupils.
- The school nurse introduced sex education to Year 6 pupils.
- The PTA held a Christmas Fair and a Summer Fair
- Indoor Athletics Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman
- Amman Valley Schools Indoor Athletics meeting
- The school organised a sports club for its pupils in Years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6.
- Arts and Crafts Club.
- Creative dance lessons were held led by Dyfed Dance.
- Bowling lessons organised by members of the Dinefwr Bowls Centre - for pupils in
years 5 and 6.
- The In Character Theatre Company gave a performance for KS2 pupils.
- Money was raised to support several charities.
- The Welsh Puppet Theatre gave performances at school.
- The school orchestra gave several performances in the local community.
- Pupils participate in the Junior Proms in the Dinefwr and Llanelli areas.
- “Theatr Cwmni’r Bardd” gave performances for pupils in the Reception class and Years
1 and 2.
- Sports’ activities were organised for the pupils in conjunction with Dragon Sport, CCC.
- A puppet show to help raise awareness of the impact of smoking
- Pupils in Year 6 participate in concerts given by the Dinefwr and District Primary
Schools Choir.
- The Leavers’ Assembly was led by pupils in Year 6.
- Safe riding lessons were provided for Year 6 pupils.
- Years 2 and 3 pupils have been taking part in lessons to raise awareness of road safety.
- A Welsh language Care Club was organised in collaboration with Menter Bro Dinefwr.
- A Breakfast Club was organised in conjunction with the Carmarthenshire Catering #
Service.
- The school succeeded in maintaining its platinum status and we are now a permanent
Eco School.
- The school succeeded in retaining the ‘Active Marc Cymru 2012 - 2015' (Sports Council
of Wales) Award for excellence in P.E. and School Sport.
- The school retained the ICT Quality Mark 2015-2018.
- The school was awarded its fourth Healthy Schools accreditation.
Links With Other Schools (iv).
We co-operated with other schools in the Amman Valley on various projects during the primary / secondary transition period. We thank Mr. Steve Perks, Head of Amman Valley Comprehensive School for the cooperation and willingness to make resources at the secondary school available to our pupils. We also received support in completing the following;
· Christmas Concert,
· P.E. and Technology lessons,
· ICT lessons,
· The school’s indoor athletics meeting,
· Blue Skies Project
· Swimming lessons,
· Hockey lessons,
· The induction of Year 6 pupils at the secondary school,
· Meetings(every half term) to implement the primary / secondary partnership.
Many of our former pupils have assisted the teachers in accomplishing the school initiatives organised in collaboration with Amman Valley Comprehensive School and Carmarthenshire County Council. It was a pleasure to be in their company once again.
Similarly, we thank Mr. Wyn Evans, Head of Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth for coordinating the activities for the primary / secondary transition in language, computers, physical education, drama, science, art and technology.
The school has continued to work with our friends in schools in Austria, Greece, Finland and Spain. Teachers from Finland paid a visit to plan future cooperation on the Erasmus project by all the above schools.
Links with the Police.(v)
Dyfed Powys Police visits the school regularly. They provide an interesting and relevant programme for pupils in each class every year. The plan supports the development of personal and social skills as well as their moral development. The structure of the sessions is excellent with contemporary and engaging activities in promoting the safety and welfare of pupils and the safe use of social media.Thanks to PC Kevin Jones for his outstanding work.
School Hours
Please remember that the teachers are on duty for twenty minutes before the start of the morning session and for fifteen minutes after the end of the afternoon session.
Make sure that your child arrives punctually in the morning and is collected on time at the end of the school day.
An appendix to this report provides details of INSET days and holidays.
Additional Educational Needs
The ESTYN inspection report noted that the school's arrangements for teaching pupils with additional educational needs are excellent
The school has a comprehensive policy for teaching pupils with additional educational needs, which complies with the requirements of the Local Education Authority as well as meeting national requirements. The support teachers work effectively with class teachers to offer the best provision for the pupils in their care. Individual education programmes are prepared for the children on the additional educational needs register. Each staff member will receive a copy of the programmes to ensure that their provision for each individual pupil is suitable and matches their needs. Improvement targets are shared with pupils' parents.
The children on the register of additional educational needs make splendid progress and their needs are being met by the variety of strategies used.
The extra funding that is delegated to the school for additional education needs is utilised to cover staff costs and to enhance the resources used for teaching and learning.
We have received visits by the Educational Psychologist during the year in order to work with children, agree on strategies with teachers, provide feedback and offer general advice. We work in close cooperation with any outside agency that provides provision for children with additional educational needs.
Standardised tests are administered annually to monitor progress. Ongoing assessments are made by the teachers to measure the progress of pupils in each class. Home-school liaison was further improved by the introduction of a definite structure for reporting to parents and securing agreement on the way forward
National Curriculum Statutory Assessment Results
Please refer to the sheet appended to this report
Action taken to review school policies and strategies.
During the school year we reviewed school policies and strategies in response to the introduction of changes to the curriculum that were implemented in September.
Changes are made to meet new requirements or when the scope of the work in schools is modified or added to by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Action taken following the review of school policies and strategies
The next development was implemented in accordance with the School Development Plan.
During the school year we have continued to devise new curricular schemes of work to comply with the requirements of the new curriculum. There is a balance between thematic teaching and subject teaching in implementing the schemes of work.
Since the publication of the last report we have completed the bulk of the work planned to effectively implement the new Literacy and Numeracy Framework
We have changed the approach to lesson planning to meet new statutory requirements
We reviewed our arrangements for assessing pupils' progress. We added to good practices to meet new requirements.
We changed our methods of tracking pupils' progress to meet the new requirements and extended the system to track this progress.
Frequent monitoring by the headteacher, the staff, the governors and the System Leader ensures that standards are maintained and improved.
A summary of the targets set by the governors for the next three years (where the school does not assess the pupils with statements of special educational needs).
Quantitative Targets
At the end of the Reception Class
100% of pupils to achieve Outcome 3 or better in these areas of learning - Personal and Social Development, Cultural Diversity and Well-Being, Language, Communication and Literacy and Mathematical Development
At the end of Year 2
100% of pupils to achieve Outcome 5 or better in these areas of learning - Personal and Social Development, Cultural Diversity and Well-Being, Language, Communication and Literacy and Mathematical Development
At the end of Year 6
100% of the pupils to achieve Level 4 or above in Welsh, English, Mathematics and Science
At the end of Year 4
100% of pupils having progressed at least one level of their prior attainment at the end of year 2
It was noted that the results at the end of the Foundation Stage (end of year 2) had surpassed the targets set by the governors.
It was observed that the results at the end of Key Stage 2 (end of year 6) had exceeded the targets set by the governors.
In addition to the quantitative targets above, process targets are set for the school that complies with the Local Education Authority’s Children and Young People's Plan. Examples of activities that meet process targets are given earlier in this report.
Attendance Data
Average Attendance – 97.5%
Authorised Absence – 2.38%
Unauthorised Absence – 0.12%
The Governors expect the attendance figures at Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman for the 2015/2016 academic year to reach 96.6% and that there is 0% of unauthorised absences
Please contact the school to explain your child's absence each time. The school will contact parents if no message is received to explain an absence. Where there is no particular reason to explain any absence or if parents do not respond to the school’s communication, the Department of Children's Services will be informed.
The provision made to ensure that pupils take part in school sport, including extracurricular sporting activities.
We endeavour to ensure that all pupils enjoy and are successful in taking part in school sport and physical education.
Where possible, pupils are given the opportunity to participate at a level appropriate to their ability.
We provide a variety of experiences under conditions that promote enjoyment as well as a competitive challenge. Two hours of physical education activities are taught per week on average over the academic year. In addition, numerous extracurricular activities are held that include participation on school grounds and beyond.
We list here the experiences provided during the year.
· Swimming lessons.
· PE lessons every week.
· Bowling lessons.
· Cross Country Running - Carmarthenshire Schools and Dyfed Schools Competitions.
· Indoor Athletics
· Schools Athletics Championships Carmarthenshire and Dyfed areas.
· School Sports.
· Hockey lessons and competitions under the auspices of Dragon Sport.
· Netball lessons and competitions.
· Rugby and football lessons and competitions.
· Cricket lessons and competitions.
· Line dancing lessons
· Folk dance, disco dance and gymnastics lessons and competitions.
· A Sports Club has been held throughout the year.
· Some of the school’s pupils took part in this year's Dyfed Powys Police tournament.
· Outdoor Activities - Visits to Pendine Outdoor Education Centre and Llangrannog.
· We were successful retaining the ‘Active Marc Cymru 2012-2015 Award'. The award is
presented to schools that provide physical education and school sport to a high
standard.
Extracurricular Sporting Activities.
The pupils have had the experience of participating in physical education and school sport in the following areas outside official school hours.
· Rugby,
· Football,
· Netball,
· Hockey,
· Cricket,
· Rounders,
· Gymnastics,
· Swimming,
· Cross country running,
· Athletics,
· Education through outdoor adventure activities,
· Disco dancing,
· Folk dancing,
· A thletic games.
The outstanding commitment of the teachers to support pupils outside normal school hours on a voluntary basis is very commendable.
We are proud that students and teachers of the school have completed the above.
Arrangements for pupils with physical disabilities
We do not have a child or staff member with a severe physical disability at the moment. A toilet has been modified and ramps at the main entrance and at the entry to the Foundation Phase class rooms are suitable for a wheelchair. We work closely with the LEA to ensure equal opportunities and to avoid discrimination.
The governors have established procedures to ensure that the school has an Accessibility Plan and a Disability Equality Scheme. In 2008 we improved access to school when the new extension to the school was built. The new extension ensures work space suitable for children and adults with a disability.
Security Arrangements.
We vigilantly maintain strict security measures every day. Health and safety committee meetings are held regularly. The Local Authority recently completed a detailed Health and Safety survey of the school. Feedback has been very favourable.
Toileting facilities and arrangements for their cleaning.
The pupils use six toilet rooms, three each for girls and boys. There are two toilet rooms for adults and a toilet suitable for children and adults with a disability is also available.
The school is cleaned every day. This is carried out by Carmarthenshire County Council School Cleaning Services who employ the cleaners and their work is monitored by Council officers and the Headteacher. The school meets its obligation that requires school toilets be cleaned at least daily.
Financial Statement 2015/2016.
Claiming Governors’ Expenses.
The governors of this school do not claim travel and subsistence expenses.
Arrangements for healthy eating and drinking.
The school has a Fitness and Healthy Eating and Drinking Policy. The school has also made sterling efforts to secure Healthy Schools accreditation and gained recognition for achieving the Authority’s Healthy School standards. We spare no effort to promote healthy eating and this practice is followed by the majority of the pupils and staff during school hours
Destination of leavers.
30 pupils left at the end of Year 6 in July 2016. They will transfer to the Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth, Ysgol Bro Dinefwr and Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera. We wish them every success in the future.
Conclusion
2015/2016 was a very successful year for Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman. There are definite signs that the school, through its efforts and endeavour, is becoming a more appealing choice than ever to the residents of this community. By the summer term 290 pupils were coming through the school gates daily, the largest number in the school's history.
There have been many highlights that include success at local, regional and national eisteddfods. A successful year of sporting activities, and excellent assessment results at the end of the Foundation Stage and at Key Stage 2. In addition, the school has achieved its fourth award in the Healthy Schools Programme. An International Project was completed with the sponsorship of the British Council and funding was received to begin a new international project.
The PTA has been very active. Excellent sums of money were added to the funds through the diligent work of the officers and the support of parents and friends of the school. Thank you all for your generous support and in so doing making valuable experiences accessible to our pupils.
The school has gifted teachers. Thank you all for providing broad and balanced experiences, throughout the timetabled day, with additional extra-curricular activities in after school hours and during the school holidays. It is a delight to watch the pupils happily engaged under their tuition. The teachers receive the excellent support of the dedicated and enthusiastic classroom and administrative assistants.
Thanks are extended to the school governors for their support and hard work. Your hard work is really
appreciated.
Thank you for your co-operation and support.
Geraint Davies ( Headteacher).
