Governors Annual Report

by kstock

YSGOL PEN-Y-BRYN

REPORT OF THE GOVERNORS FOR THE YEAR 2009/2010

1. This annual report of the Governors will be presented in the school hall at 6.00 p.m. on Monday 12^th July 2010.

2. There was no meeting held during the year 2008/2009 and therefore no report of any resolutions passed.

Throughout the year the governors were:

Parent (x5) Date:

Mrs. S. Williams 2012

Mrs. C. Beattie 2010

Mrs. J. Hughes 2010

Mrs. R Yates 2012

Mrs. S. Davies 2014

Partnership (x3)

Mr. T. Earley 2010

Mr. K. Jones 2011

Mr. P. Donegan 2013

LEA (x2)

Mr. T. Stott 2011

Mrs. R. Roberts 2014

Staff Governors (x2)

Mrs. A. Thomas 2013

Mrs. A. Hill 2011

Community (x1)

Dr. W. Kitson 2011

Headteacher (ex officio)

Mr. J. MacLennan

The Chair of Governors is Mr. Paul Donegan (until 31^st August 2010) who may be contacted through the school. The Vice Chair is Dr. Wendy Kitson and the Responsible Officer is Mr. Derek Orme.

3. An election for a parent governor vacancy was held this year and Sarah Davies was elected to join the Governing Body.

4. The number of pupils on roll is currently 461 (436 FTE). There are 55 children in our very popular nursery who attend on a 0.5 basis. The school capacity based on 30 pupils in each class is 420 full time and 60 part time pupils. There are currently 17 full time teachers . The intake for September 2010 Nursery is 60 but over 70 applications were received. The Admissions Panel of the Governing Body met to decide who would be offered a place.

5. The school has also opened a Nursery Plus facility which currently has one member of staff and 8

pupils. From September 2010 there will be 3 staff and the projected number of pupils is currently 22.

Since the building of the two new Year 2 classrooms, the old mobile classroom was no longer used for teaching.

Due to the decline in Nursery intake 2008/09 and 2009/10 SMT had been analysing the reason why parents who had previously registered for Nursery then changed their minds. The conclusion drawn was that these parents were usually those who had enquired whether or not Ysgol Pen y Bryn had either Nursery Plus or after school club facilities. As the mobile was now vacant Denise Templeton (from CSSIW) was invited to inspect the premises with regard to setting up a Nursery Plus facility.

From this meeting an action plan was drawn up for funding the refurbishment of the mobile, canvassing existing Nursery parents as to their interest in such a facility and completing all of the paperwork necessary to comply with the day care application procedure.

Consequently, registration as a Day Care provider was granted, the refurbishment was completed following a loan of £3,000 from Friends of Ysgol Pen y Bryn, and resources purchased through a grant of £3000 from Conwy Early Years department.

The Nursery plus opened to first pupils at the beginning of the Summer term with Mrs. Christine Ives as Nursery Manager. Two further part-time Nursery Assistants have been employed as from September 1^st and the loan from the Friends will be repaid before the end of the Summer term.

Nursery Plus has proved to be a popular facility with this year’s new Nursery parents – on the initial numbers requesting places, the projected income exceeds the staffing costs of Mrs. Ives and her two Nursery Assistants, and importantly, no Nursery places have been turned down by parents due to childcare issues.

6. National Curriculum Assessment Results and Assessment Data.

The results for 2009/10 were as follows:

Key Stage 1

Level 2 or above.

School National Average

English 88.2% 82.8%

Maths 84.3% 87.0%

Science 94.1% 90.0%

Core Subject Indicator

C.S.I. 78.4% 81.1%

Key Stage 2

Level 4 or above

School National Average

English 91.7% 81.0%

Maths 91.7% 82.5%

Science 95.0% 86.4%

Welsh Second Language

91.0 -

C.S.I. 88.3% 77.0%

The Governors are pleased to report that the quality of teaching and learning is very high and that although end of KS1 results are slightly lower than expected this year in Maths, the end of KS2 results have exceeded last year’s level in all core subjects. The development of Maths is a priority for 2010/11 and we will be closely monitoring the children’s progress throughout the year.

7. The Governors targets for the next three years are for the school to exceed the Wales average in all core subjects and the Core Subject Indicator at both key stages. When judging the school’s performance against percentage quartiles it is important to take into account the Free School Meals indicator (FSM) as this affects the criteria against which the school is judged. Currently the school has only 2.0% FSM which places us in the less than 8.00% FSM bracket. In this context the school would achieve almost 100% in each subject area to qualify for the upper quartile. The Governors have therefore set the more realistic target of the second quartile for a school of our size and a cohort of 60 children per year group.

The assessment data for the current year is published above, however the quartiles will not be published until later in the year. The Governors will supply this information as soon as it becomes available.

8. Financial Summary

(Please see appendix)

9. SEN

October 2010 audit

-St. 3 ;

SA+ 16

SA 65

+ Monitored pupils (not withdrawn) from class

The children from Year 1 – Year 6 are withdrawn from class for thirty minute sessions daily in year groups (excepting SMT commitment on Mondays). In the Rainbow Room children reinforce basic literacy or maths targets set from either October IEP targets or GOAL assessment pupil profiles. Infant pupils are supported in small group’s for reading and using phonological knowledge to form and read CVC words, whereas Year 2 pupils have more ambiguous targets and activities including regular spelling homework from first two hundred high frequency sounds.

Regular planning and review meetings take place between parents, staff and other education professionals.

Mrs. Dawn Lovery works as Additional Learning Assistant, 17 ½ hours per week and is employed to help raise standards of reading and reading comprehension.

There is regular liaison with class teachers and other education or health professionals to ensure all the children receive appropriate support and SEN provision

Consultation with LA

There is regular consultation, annual reviews and transition reviews with LA Inclusion Service with regard to individual pupil’s support – at present two pupils receive 1 : 1 support in school, one pupil is supported 0.5 at a resource centre, and three pupils have received 2.5 hours support per week from Learning Support Service.

The SEN training courses attended include ELKLAN speech and language, Numicon (numeracy) child protection, and behaviour support service inset.

Allocation of resources

Pupils identified as having Additional Learning Needs by class teachers following County Audit assessment tests September 2009, giving a standardised score of 90 or lower, have received at least four half hour small group support lessons per week in the Rainbow Room. These lessons address individual needs and support IEP targets.

Mrs. Lovery, S.N. Teaching and Learning Assistant targets raising reading skills and reading comprehension standards. All pupils whose reading comprehension age is over six months below their chronological age (standardised score 90 or below) read daily with her.

All classes have a Teaching and Learning Assistant employed for at least half of the school day which enables class teachers to give extra attention to less able pupils.

10. Sporting achievements 2009/10.

(See appendices)

11. Music and Drama Achievements

We have had another extremely successful year for Music at Pen y Bryn. The school choir performed at the MEN Arena in the ‘Young Voices’ concert in December and then there were a number of wonderful carol services throughout key stages 1 and 2 at Christmas time with singers, readers, school instrumentalists performing superbly. Over 70 pupils have had peripatetic instrumental lessons this year – violins, guitars, woodwind (flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone) and brass and the school band have met weekly producing very high standards of performances. The c.d. we produced for the Summer Fair ‘Junior Hits 1’ records the superb achievements of the junior singers and band. In addition recorder lessons have been enjoyed by all interested in Years 2 & 3. Proceeds from the sale of the c.d. will go to improve the music room facilities.

We would like to offer a big thank you to all the teachers concerned for their continued support and efforts in Music – Mrs. Bethan Jones, Mrs. Lucy Kelman, Mrs. Kate Harvey (choir) Mr. Hodgson and Mrs. Bethan Jones (band) and Mr. Chris Ryan, Mr. Barry Hodgson, Mrs. Rebecca Bateson, Mrs. Cheryl Frost – peripatetic teachers. Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts and Mrs. Julie Lewis for recorders. Many of our instrumentalists have successfully gained examination successes on their instruments this year. Congratulations to them all.

Unfortunately Mr. Barry Hodgson has decided to retire and will no longer be able to help us with our successful school band. We would like to thank him for all his contributions to the musical life of the school and wish him will for the future. Many of our instrumentalists have successfully gained examination successes on their instruments this year. Congratulations to them all.

Children enjoyed performances from the Conwy Ensemble and Key Strings and the Welsh National Opera.

The Creative Arts Week provided a great opportunity for pupils to display their musical talents further. We look forward to another ‘creative’ extravaganza with the Year 6 production next week.

12. Pupil Absence rates 2009/10

The school places a very strong emphasis on school attendance and good punctuality. Last year our attendance figures were 95.90% and our target for this year is 96%. We have built a strong relationship with the ESW team who closely monitor both our attendance and punctuality and have developed intervention strategies with pupils who fall below the expected levels.

13. The school continues to play an active role in our community supporting many local and national charities. Over the last year alone the school has raised over £4000 for good causes. (see appendices)

14. A comprehensive programme of after school clubs and activities have been carried out through the year and we are very grateful to the staff for their continued commitment. (See appendices).

15. In line with school policy and procedures the subject policies and statutory policies are reviewed and updated on three year cycle. A number of new policies have been introduced this year including the Whistle blowing policy as recommended by Conwy LA. The Grievance policy and the Staff Absence Policy have also been reviewed and rewritten. The School Improvement Plan has been under regular review and will be rewritten in line with the results of the self assessment documents which are completed at the end of the academic year.

16. Investors in People

The school was awarded I.I.P. status for a 6^th time in March 2010. We are very grateful to all our staff for their continued effort and determination to develop their abilities for the good of the children at our school.

17. Healthy School Award

The school continues to be recognised as a Health Promoting Environment and a great variety of initiatives are being developed. The School Nutrition Action Group (SNAG) at both Infant and Junior level have been a main focus this year.

18. The term dates and session times for current and future years are included in the appendices.

19. School Website.

We are very aware of the limitations of our current website and plan to launch a new web site in 2010/11. We will endeavour to use the website more in order to communicate with you as parents.

20. Comenius Project.

We have successfully been awarded a Comenius Project grant for £17,000. The project runs for three years and the grant pays for visits to participating schools and any resources needed for the work. The project is music and arts based – it will involve the whole school in presenting traditional Welsh music in the school and our local community in a variety of ways.

Presently, our Italian, German and Polish partner schools have also been awarded the grant. The Spanish, Romanian and Austrian schools are still awaiting confirmation. The first visit will be to Italy in October to coordinate the project between all successful partners.

It will be an excellent opportunity for pupils in Pen-y-Bryn to make and sustain links with countries across Europe. Additionally it will provide excellent CPD for staff as they experience education in the different countries and bring experiences back to the school.

21. Mandarin Chinese Lessons.

The school have taken advantage of an opportunity offered by Eirias High School to utilise the services of their visiting Chinese teacher Mrs. Yan Zhang. This has involved lessons in Chinese culture and an introduction to Mandarin Chinese for Years 2, 3, 4 and 5 children. We hope next year to build on this and provide 2 lessons per week for our Year 6 pupils from September. We are very grateful to Mr Phil McTague and Mr. Glyn Edwards for their support in developing this exciting project.

22. Building and Grounds Development.

i) Year 2 Classrooms

The new modular classrooms have been an enormous success and have provided much needed space for our crowded school. The pupils and the staff have greatly appreciated the space and this has therefore released much needed room for practical activities in the main school.

ii) Art Room

The room previously designated as a Community Room is now our wonderful art department. Mrs. Mather and Mrs. Wallett have transformed the space into an excellent resource of which we can be proud.

iii) Adventure Playground

This facility was made possible by the very generous contributions of the Friends of the school and other generous parents. The children have enjoyed the facility enormously and it is used by all age groups.

iv) Future Plans 2010/11

The main developments specified in our budget are aimed towards

a) The reinstatement and cultivation of our school field as a safe play and sports field.

b) Further development of our perimeter fencing to address the problems caused by the poor quality of the link fencing and to discourage further access after school hours.

c) Fencing and gate erected to establish a safe play area for the Nursery Plus children.

d) Staff room refurbishment in line with the staff wellbeing policy.

23. School Aims and Targets.

Our whole school targets for curriculum development for the current year have been:

1 To develop each child’s ability to work and study more independently

2 To improve our assessment and target setting procedures

3 To plan more progressively for the development of children’s key skills.

4 To firmly establish a culture with the school that focuses on the improvement of teaching and learning.

5 To actively search for and embrace, innovative and successful methods of achieving excellence.

The school has made significant progress towards achieving these goals and is currently analysing feedback from staff appraisals and self assessments. A new set of whole school goals will be identified from the self assessments and published in our new School Improvement Plan.

24. Staff Training and Development.

Our main training has therefore focussed on the achievement of the above goals. A whole school training day was designed to further develop ‘thinking skills’ within both staff and children in an attempt to address whole school targets one and two above. These techniques have been developed throughout the school from Nursery to Year 6.

All staff have now been trained on the Shirley Clarke ‘Assessment for Learning’ course at considerable expenses to our training budget. It has been a very worthwhile expenditure and again many new initiatives and techniques have been observed by the SMT and also teaching partners in order to provide feedback on their development of these skills. (WST4)

We have also been very fortunate in that we have managed to obtain two places on the NPQH. (National Performance Qualification for Headship). Both Geraint Edwards and Bethan Jones have successfully embarked upon their training and have identified School Improvement Projects that they will implement in school.

25. The pupils continue to be a credit to the school and to yourselves as parents. We have very rare incidences of bad behaviour and if they do occur can usually be addressed very quickly and effectively with your cooperation. Our school policy encourages self discipline, respect and caring and this in turn fosters a positive learning environment. Our teaching staff are very aware of their responsibility to promote this environment and develop classrooms and activities where children feel welcomed, enthused and valued. There were no exclusions from school during the year 2009/10

26. Judo Club

Following the successful application to the Sports Council for Wales for £1500 to buy judo/gym mats, we were able to set up Pen y Bryn Judo Club in January, 2010 with 22 members coached by Mike Olive, Welsh Judo Association Coach from Colwyn Leisure Centre and Eirias High School.

27. Accessibility Plan

The school has prepared an accessibility plan which conforms with the requirements of the Disability and Discrimination Act. Arrangements for pupils and visitors are firmly in place. The plan is currently being reviewed by a working party made up of staff and Governors.

28. Equal Opportunities Policy.

Equality policies and implemented consistently throughout the school with every pupil treated as an individual. All children are provided with equal access to all school activities.

29. Visit to Downing Street

Pupils at Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn, Colwyn Bay, were invited to go to 10 Downing Street to hand deliver a 20 metre supporters scarf for Send My Friend to School on 8^th July. Send My Friend to School is an International Campaign that started in 2000 when the World Leaders at the G8 meeting promised to send all primary aged children in the World to School by the year 2015. At that time 115 million children did not receive this education. Now in 2010, 72 million children still don’t receive primary education and the World Leaders only have 5 years to fulfil their promise. The Send My Friend to school organisation have run a 1 Goal campaign this year, supported by World Cup players past and present including Rio Ferdinand, Michael Owen, David James, Thierry Henri and many more.

The pupils invited their local MP, David Jones, into school to show him a powerful assembly and their 1GOAL supporters scarf filled with thousands of signatures from the local community. He was so impressed that he has invited them to 10 Downing Street to deliver the scarf and then visit the Welsh Secretary of State at the Welsh Office in Westminster. The visit took place on Thursday July 8^th 2.10. Two staff members, Mrs. Tabitha Sawyer and Mrs. Mandy Hill accompanied eight year six children to London by train.

30. Staffing Changes

Mrs. Bethan Jones (Year 5) has been successful in her application to become Deputy Headtacher at Ysgol Hiraddig in Dyserth from September 2010. Miss June Riley (Reception) has accepted a 12 month secondment opportunity to teach physical education at Ysgol Gogarth. We wish them both the very best of luck in their new posts.

Miss Hayley Jones has been appointed to take over from Mrs. Bethan Jones and Miss Fiona McCloskey currently teaching Year 1 has been asked to take Miss Riley’s Reception class from September.

Mrs. Jane Love will move to Year 1 for the September to Christmas term until Mrs. Elizabeth Jones returns from maternity leave.

A full staff list from September 2010 is published in the appendices.

31. The Governors believe that the school has had an outstanding year and our new staff have been a great success adding many new initiatives and viewpoints and helping us to improve our school still further. We fully recognise the enormous contributions and commitment made by all staff and truly thank them for their continued efforts.

32. The school continues to liaise closely with the local community in order to build on the strong links that exist already.

We also recognise the considerable support made by you as parents and cannot emphasise enough the value of our very special relationship. The positive effects of this partnership are clearly visible in the children and their attitudes to school, work and each other.

Thank you! Diolch yn Fawr!

John MacLennan

Appendices.

1. Financial Summary

2. Sporting Achievements

3. Monies raised for charity 2009/10

4. List of Clubs and after school activities

5. Staff list and classes 2010/11

6. Session times and holiday dates 2010/11

APPENDIX 1

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

2010 2009

£ £

Income

Conwy LEA grant 1,269,601 1196,250

Dinner monies 60,949 63,138

Contributions 672

Milk subsidies 5,179 5,522

Other income 98,289 59,032

School Fund transfer 10,000

1,434,018 1,334,614

Expenditure

Salaries & wages 1,157,639 1,121,593

Catering costs 64,071 63,575

Milk costs 5,878 7,140

Educational Materials 14,942 8,528

Planned maintenance 6,730 14,454

Other repairs and maintenance 14,964 14,015

Rental of equipment 9,811 9,202

Telephone 1,760 2,102

Utility costs 26,971 22,239

Insurances 3,906 5,000

Minibus costs 339 1,343

Printing, postage and stationery 4,402 4,705

Advertising 615 1,706

Cleaning and waste disposal 4,762 5,161

Licences and subscriptions 3,748 3,973

Professional fees 6,076 6,656

Capital expenditure 65,767 52,598

Bank charges 37 47

Other costs 12,734 15,562

1,405,152 1,359,599

Excess of income over expenditure

For the year 28,866 (24,985)

Accumulated surplus brought forward 8,537 33,522

Accumulated surplus carried forward 37,403 8,537

APPENDIX 2

Sporting Achievements

Football Entered a Girls team and a Boys team into the Colwyn Bay & Abergele Schools Football Shield.

Played weekly fixtures versus local schools

Received a new kit sponsored by R.S. Davies Construction

Netball Played weekly fixtures versus local schools.

Two teams played in Dragon Sports Netball Festival

Two teams competed in Colwyn Bay and Abergele Schools Tournament

Rugby Played in the Colwyn Bay TAG Rugby Festival.

Competed at the Conwy TAG Rugby Competition.

Swimming Competed in Colwyn Bay & Abergele Schools Gala winners

Individual and relay success at local and national Urdd galas.

All Junior children competed in School Swimming Gala.

Cricket Played weekly fixtures versus local schools at Colwyn Bay CC.

Winners of the Asda Conwy Competition at Llandudno CC.

Winners of the Daily Post Competition at Colwyn Bay CC.

Second in North West Wales Competion at Bangor C.C..

Athletics Traditional Sports Day Yr 5 & Yr 6 at Eirias Arena

Superstars Yr 3 & Yr 4. All children active and scoring for partners.

Nursery and Infants sports days held on school field.

Competing at the Colwyn Bay & Abergele area sports.(July 11^th)

Cross-Country All Junior children competed in House Cross-Country.

School team ran in the Colwyn Bay & Abergele Schools event at Eirias Park with two individual race winners.

Overall school winners.

Individual success at Urdd/PESS Faenol Eryn cross country.

Tennis 4 Junior teams played in the Conwy Competition.

Year 3 went to compete in the North Wales competition in Wrexham.

House Matches All Junior children competed in House Matches in football, netball, hockey, TAG rugby

and cross country.

OUTDOOR RESIDENTIAL COURSES – Year 4 went to Pentrellyncymer – each class stayed for 2 ½ days. They went to Llyn Alwen Education Centre, walking, climbing and problem solving. Year 5 went to Nant B.H. for five days. They went orienteering, climbing, gorge walking, canoeing down the Afon Conwy, walking and slept in a mountain hut. Year 5 & 6 children visited London for five days during May.

INTER HOUSE COMPETITIONS – All K.S.2 children took part in cross country, athletics, swimming, football, netball, rugby and hockey competitions.

All in all – a very sporting year!

APPENDIX 3

Monies raised for charities 2209/10

Action Aid £204.91

Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal £349.00

Marie Curie £133.91

Children In Need £699.54

Comic Relief £1671.28

British Heart Foundation £1000.00

Total Amount Raised = £4058.64

Appendix 5

Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn Staffing List 2010/11

Mr. John MacLennan – Head Teacher

Mrs. Jane Love – Deputy Head Teacher

Mr. Geraint Edwards – Assistant Head Teacher

CLASS TEACHERS

Mrs. Rhian Roxburgh

Mr. Darren Dentith

Mrs. Julie Lewis

Mrs. Teresa Edwards

Mrs. Elizabeth Jones

Mrs. Nicola Tetlow-Butterly

Mrs. Lucy Kelman

Mrs. Anna Thomas

Miss Claire Jones

Mrs. Tabitha Sawyer

Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts

Mrs. Karen Mather

Miss Fiona McCloskey

Miss Hayley Jones

Mrs. Adele Ryan-Evans

Classroom Assistants

Mrs. Christine Ives

Mrs. Janine Mercer

Mrs. Christine Cooksey

Mrs. Emma Crossley

Mrs. Jenny Ferdinando

Mrs. Elizabeth Conchie

Mrs. Gill Jones

Mrs. Mandy Hill

Mrs. Dawn Lovery

Mr. Chris Rowley

Mrs. Anita Vincent

Mrs. Mary Wallett

Mrs. Rebecca Williams

Mrs Rebecca Rhodes

Mrs. Katie Harvey

Mrs. Jo Ward

Miss Rachel Dentith

Mrs. Sylvia Kingman

Miss Melissa Davies

Mrs. Hannah Bracken

Mrs. Donna Harper

Mrs. Andrea Baron

APPENDIX 4

List of after clubs and after school activities.

Junior after school sports clubs:

Football, Netball, Rugby, Cricket

Shane Cartwright Football Coaching

Colwyn Bay F.C. Football Coaching

Film Club

Art Club

Infant after school clubs:

French

Recorders – Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced

Dance

Infant Music Club

APPENDIX 6

SCHOOL HOLIDAY DATES & STAFF TRAINING DAYS

2010-2011

Autumn Term

1st September, 2010 Training Day

2^nd September, 2010 School opens

8^th October 2010 Training Day

22^nd October, 2010 Break up for Half term

1^st November 2010 School Opens

20^TH December, 2010 Break up for Christmas Holiday

Spring Term

4^th January, 2011 Training Day

5^th January, 2011 School opens

17^th February, 2011 Break up for half term

18^th February 2011 Training Day

28^th February 2011 School Opens

15^th April, 2011 Break up for Easter

Summer Term

2^nd May, 2011 May Day

3^rd May 2011 Training Day

4^th May 2011 School opens

27th May, 2011 Break up for Half term

6th June, 2011 School opens

20^th July, 2011 Break up for Summer Holiday

Two Transition Days to be arranged.

Session Times Infants Juniors

School opens 8.55a.m. 8.55 a.m.

Morning Break 10.25 -10.40 11.00 – 11.15

Lunchtime 11.45 – 12.45 12.15-13.15

Afternoon Break 14.00 – 14.15 2.05 – 2.20

School ends 3.15 p.m. 3.15 p.m.

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