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Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg

Y Castell

Annual Governors’

Report to Parents

2016-2017

To be presented on the

school’s website.

27th October 2017

A paper copy is available through the school

office on request.

Cerddwn ymlaen â ffydd yn ein cân.

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Contents Page

2. Contents

3. Governors’ Introduction

4. Pupils’ Activities

9. Governors’ Activities

10. School Performance Data 2017

12. School Development Plan

15. Finance Statement

16. School Terms and Holidays 2017/2018 and Times

17. Special Educational Needs

18. The Governing Body

19. Contact Details

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Governors’ Introduction

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As Chair of Governors, I am pleased to introduce the school's annual report for

2016/2017. I hope it helps to demonstrate what a successful, dynamic and all

inclusive school the children attend.

My father would often say to me "One great thing about education is that no one can

take it away from you". This has resonated with me throughout my life and I am sure

that those reading this report will agree. At Ysgol y Castell, the staff and governors

strive to provide an education for its children that can help transform their lives for

the better and tap into their potential. We seek to provide them with skills that will

serve them well throughout their formal education and also in the wider world. At the

school we wish to include all pupils of all abilities and backgrounds and I hope this

report demonstrates our core values.

No school can function well without the right staff and I believe we are blessed at the

school to have excellent people, whose goal is to pass on their knowledge, skills and

wisdom to the children. This past year saw the Deputy Head, Daniel Davies,

promoted into a fresh challenge and his replacement Gareth Hughes came to the

school this September. I am sure he will make a positive contribution to the

continued success of the school.

I hope you enjoy reading this report and send you all my best wishes.

Gareth Williams

Chair

No meeting was held under Section 94 of the School Standards and Organisation

(Wales) Act 2013.

Five formal complaints were received during this academic year. These were all

resolved at stage 1 of the Complaints Procedure.

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Pupils’ Activities

At Ysgol Y Castell, we are proud of our curricular provision, learning experiences and the

wealth of extra-curricular activities offered to pupils. All the experiences mentioned below

ensure a wide and varied provision for all our pupils. All activities enrich their learning and

inspire them to work to the best of their potential; with enjoyment, committment and towards

a meaningful purpose.

Autumn Term

Year 3 and 4 Castell Henllys – inspiration for the theme “Y Celtiaid”

Year 5 Castell Caerffili – Welsh History Festival workshops – composing poetry Anni Llŷn (Welsh Poet Laureate)

Year 5 and 6 Recorder lessons by Caerphilly Music Service

Year 6 Caerphilly Library – celebrating Roald Dahl’s centenary

Year 5 Lush – creating bath bombs

School Community Macmillan Coffee Morning

Year 2 Weekly Kerb Craft lessons

School Choir Aberfan Memorial Concert with Cwm Aber Male Voice Choir – Saint Helen’s Church

Year 6 Cadburys World

Year 1 and 2 Dan yr Ogof – Abracadabra (Rala Rwdins books)

Year 1 - 6 Sports workshops by Amy (Urdd Sports Officer)

Key Stage 2 Tonyfelin Chapel – Harvest Festival

Year 6 Elim Chapel – donations for local food bank

School Community Halloween Disco

MAT Pupils Yr 5 and 6 (literacy)

Writing Squad – Caerphilly Library and Ysgol Cwm Rhymni

Sports Ambassadors Tŷ Penallta – leadership training

Year 3 and 4 Birds of Prey

Reception – Year 2 Theatre – performance of “The Emporer’s New Clothes”

Year 3 and 4 (Urdd members)

Urdd Jamboree – Millenium Centre, Cardiff

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Year 3 and 4 GE Aviation – workshop with engineers looking at flight processes

Year 5 and 6 Cardiff Castle – The Blitz

Year 6 – FSM pupils Workshops in Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni

Spring Activities

Nursery and Reception Caerphilly Castle

Year 6 Crucial Crew

Youth Forum Llancaiach Fawr

Year 5 Llangrannog Residential Course (week)

Year 3 a 4 Eden Centre

Year 2-6 Workshops with NSPCC

Reception, Year 1 a 2 Techniquest

KS2 MAT pupils Writing workshops with Anni Llŷn

FSM pupils Urdd Centre, Cardiff Bay

Year 6 Outdoor Learning residential course – Maes yr Haul (three days)

Year 5 Mount Carmel Chapel – Easter Cracked

All pupils National World Book Day

Urdd Members Art display

Book Quiz Team Workshop with the author Tomos Morris.

Summer Activities

Year 6 MAT pupils Modern Forgein Languauge lessons - Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni

Reception Funtastic

Year 4 Urdd Centre, Cardiff Bay (residential course)

Year 1 a 2 Plantasia

Nursery Nursery Festival at Saint Fagan

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Year 5 Aspiration day at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni

Year 1 a 2 Cwm Darren Park

Year 1 a 2 Urdd Jamboree (members only)

Year 5 Pop concert by the Candelas

Year 6 School Nurse – growing up

All pupils PC Thomas – personal safety lessons

Parents PC Thomas – e-safety

Year 6 Sharon Risby (EWO) – the importance of good attendance

Year 5 and 6 Raising Aspirations at the University of South Wales

Science Club Workshops with STEM Scientists

Success and Celebrations

All pupils and staff run / walk the daily mile.

Weekly harp, violin, recorders and brass lessons are offered at school.

The gymnastics team competed in the Urdd national competition. The children enjoyed themselves during the long weeks of practice led tirelessly by Miss Alice Corden (former pupil), Mr T. Griffiths and Mrs L. Missen (Governor). The school would like to acknowledge the support received from Bedwas Gymnastics Club and we extend our thanks to them. The children won the following awards:

Aled Lewis (individual) – 1st

Polly-Jayne Missen and Carys Corden (pair) – 1st

Team competition – 1st

On March 1st, William Hughes won the Eisteddfod Chair and Seren Beckett received the Eisteddfod Crown during a special ceremony led by Year 5 Gorsedd Y Beirdd.

Our pupils competed keenly in the Urdd Eisteddfodau. Once again, for the 11th consecutive year, we won the cup for the most successful school.

Many children and parents attended Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd Penybont, Ogwr a Thaf Elai to compete in the following competitions - choir, unison group, two voice group, recition party, individual recition (under 8, 10 and 12).

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Year 3 and 4 Reading Team gained 1st prize in the county reading quiz and went on the represent Gwent in the national finals.

All the sports teams competed with enthusiasm in the Urdd competitions with the Year 4 hockey team reaching the National Final at Aberystwyth University.

We celebrated Walk to School week, Anti-Bullying week and Healthy Schools week.

Olivia Daniels-Griffiths won 3rd prize in the National Urdd Arts and Crafts competition.

The School Council assisted the Governing Body by interviewing candidates for the post of Deputy Head Teacher.

Sponsered football activities – new sports equipment and team kits were purchased

through the donations made.

All pupils prepared and performed class assemblies.

Den dan Dȏ (outside classroom) was built and Year 1 and 2 pupils’ toilets were refurbished.

An outdoor discovery morning / afternoon was held with nursery parents to see how

the pupils learn through play.

A £5,000 donation was received from the Friends of the School to purchase yard markings, solar powered clock, books and mus kitchens.

The school won the Green Flag status under the

leadership of the Eco Committee.

The choir sang in the Hybu concert "1,000 voices" in the Motorpoint Arena.

The Athletics Team enjoyed competing in the Summer

Term, coming second in the Cwm Rhymni cluster and Caerphilly Sports Days.

Cross Country Competition – both female teams won the South East Wales

Championships.

First Aid lessons were held for Year 5 and 6 by st John’s Ambulance staff.

A number of extra curricular activities are held on a weekly basis including Urdd Club, arts and crafts, sports, choir, disco and folk dancing, ukulele, sticker swap, reading, sewing, science and coding.

We are a Welsh medium school who immerse the Foundation Phase pupils in Welsh to ensure their bilingualism. English is introduced in Key Stage 2.

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Attendance Information 2016 / 2017

Attendance Authorised

Absences

Unauthorised

Absences

Target 2016-2017 95.2% 4.8% 0%

Autumn Term 2016 95.26% 4.64% 0.1%

Spring Term 2017 94.43% 5.13% 0.44%

Summer Term 2017 94.31% 5.12% 0.57%

Academic Year 2016 -

2017

95.03% 4.75% 0.22%

We constantly engage with parents and guardians to reduce the number of unauthorised absences through correspondence and text messages.

90% attendance over 5 years of school = ½ a school year missed

We urge parents not to withdraw children for holidays.

Every lesson counts!

Most pupils and parents think 90% attendance is good. Are they right?

90% attendance = ½ a day missed every week!

Attendance at the end of

the year Days missed from school

100% 0

99.5% 1

97.4% 5

95% 10

90% 19

87% 24

85% 28

80% 38

75% 47

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A REVIEW OF GOVERNOR'S ACTIVITY FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2016/17

The Governing Body is delighted to congratulate the school on another fantastic year.

Our focus, as always, remains firmly directed at improving outcomes for all our pupils by

delivering high quality teaching and maximising progress and attainment. Ours is a strategic

role and involves:

(i) Setting the aims and objectives for the school; (ii) Agreeing policies, targets and priorities for achieving these objectives; (iii) Monitoring and evaluating to see whether (i) and (ii) are being

achieved.

In their most recent report Estyn noted that ‘the governing body is very

conscientious and supportive, and takes its role seriously in terms of

challenging the school. It ensures that priorities hold the school to account

successfully in maintaining standards and ensuring good provision. This

contributes effectively towards improving provision and ensuring that

pupils make good progress.’

As governors we are ambitious in our vision for the school and we

recognise the efforts and good work of all staff in contributing to the

school’s progress. We would like to thank all the children, parents, carers

and members of the community that support us and make our school

caring and a good place to learn and open doors for our journey of life.

This year we appointed two new community governors, Sara Davies and Rhian Jones, who

bring a wealth of skills and experience to support our school community.

In addition to our half-termly, whole governing body meetings and any additional sub-

committees, governors also sat on various recruitment and selection panels, including the

appointment of our new Deputy Head, Gareth Hughes, who we look forward to working with

this year.

Throughout the year governors are also offered numerous opportunities to visit the school

and observe day to day activities including learning walks, which, in 2016/17 included

meeting with More Able and Talented learners to evaluate the schools current provision for

this group and with the IT team and Digital Leaders to explore the IT provision aimed at

implementing the new Digital Framework. Governors also attended assemblies and school

council meetings as well as participating in extra-curricular provision such as concerts,

fayres, and other activities open to the school community. These opportunities offer a

fantastic insight into how the school operates and are incredibly informative in shaping our

strategic vision for the school.

We would once again like to thank Mrs Nuttall and her staff for all their hard work which led

to another busy and successful year at Ysgol Y Castell, not least during the inspection where

their tireless efforts were recognised in the Estyn report. We look forward to working

alongside them again in what promises to be another exciting year for Ysgol y Castell.

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School Performance Data 2017

Foundation Phase:

Pupils at the end of Foundation Phase (7 years old) are expected to achieve

outcome 5. Some pupils exceed the expectation and gain outcome 6 and other

pupils gain outcome 4.

The % of pupils that achieved outcome 5 and above by the end of FPh in 2017.

Subject Targets

set by

school

Ysgol Y Castell Family of

Schools

LA Wales

Welsh 96% 96% 90% 94% 91%

Mathematics 95% 95% 92% 91% 90%

Wellbeing 95% 98% 96% 95% 95%

Core Subject

Indicator (success

in all 3 core subjects)

93% 95% 89% 89% 87%

The % of pupils that achieved outcome 6 by the end of FPh in 2017.

Subject Targets

set by

school

Ysgol Y Castell Family of

schools

LA Wales

Welsh 37% 35% 34% 38% 38%

Mathematics 40% 40% 37% 38% 39%

Wellbeing 56% 53% 60% 58% 61%

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Key Stage 2:

Pupils at the end of KS2 (11 years old) are expected to achieve level 4. Some pupils

exceed the expectation and gain level 5 and other pupils gain level 3.

The % of pupils that achieved level 4 and above by the end of KS2 in 2017.

Subject School

targets

Ysgol Y

Castell

Family of

Schools

LA Wales

Welsh 93% 87% 90% 95% 92%

English 96% 87% 92% 92% 91%

Mathematics 96% 93% 94% 92% 92%

Science 96% 96% 94% 93% 92%

Core Subject

Indicator

93% 87% 92% 90% 90%

The % of pupils that achieved level 5 by the end of KS2 in 2017.

Subject School

targets

Ysgol Y

Castell

Family of

Schools

LA Wales

Welsh 35% 33% 37% 40% 41%

English 39% 35% 39% 44% 45%

Mathematics 41% 33% 43% 46% 47%

Science 50% 46% 43% 46% 46%

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Progress report on School Development Plan / Post Inspection Plan

Recommendations (2016 – 2017)

Target Actions and Impact to Date

1 Continue to raise standards of

boys’ writing (outcome 6 and

level 5) throughout the school.

(SDP)

Ensure that more able pupils are

challenged consistently

throughout the school (R2 – PIP)

Cluster moderation meetings were held for all year groups where teachers shared literacy and theme books – all teacher assessments were agreed by the cluster in all year groups.

Book scrutiny demonstrates that: lesson planning demonstrates interesting,

challenging and a good variety of writing tasks to engage the boys in all classes.

the use of worksheets has been reduced. nearly all books show good improvement in

boys’ standards of writing at the higher outcomes / levels.

the majority of boys take pride in their work and are keen to improve their work.

there is clear evidence of rich opportunities to write across the curriculum.

marking is thorough and refers to shared success criteria and next steps of learning

Application to join NACE self-evaluation assessment toolkit made.

MAT policy updated.

As a result, standards at the higher levels / outcomes have improved and are now in line with national outcomes.

2 Refine Science provision across

the school – re-look at our

themes / schemes of work and

ensure regular opportunities to

teach Science. (SDP)

Ensure that more able pupils are

challenged consistently

throughout the school (R2 – PIP)

Year 6 Science Books (at Level 5) were chosen as an exemplar portfolio for the cluster.

Regular science experiements / tasks are now taught and recorded in all KS2 classrooms. As a result, standards in science at the higher levels are above the national results.

STEM club activities continue to target pupils at the higher levels.

Visits by scientists to inspire the girls have led to 50% of females attaining level 5+.

3 Raise aspiration for our FMS

pupils and their families for a

better future in order to meet the

national and local priority of

closing the poverty gap. (SDP)

Continue to close the gap

between the attainment and

attendance of pupils who are

eligible for free school meals and

Families engaged with a project to raise aspirations by visiting South Wales University and observe the opportunities available for further education. This outstanding provision was shared with YGG Caerffili and Ysgol Ifor Bach.

100% of KS2 pupils receive free music lessons every week for one term.

High percentage of FSM pupils now attend lunchtime extra-curricular activities.

100% FP pupils attained the expected outcome – better than the non FSM pupils. The gap has closed in the FP.

Only 1 FSM pupil in the FP achieved outcome 6 in

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their peers (R1 – PIP)

all areas of learning. In KS2 55% of FSM pupils achieved level 4+ in

both languages (11% at level 5+). 77% of FSM pupils achieved level 4+ in both

mathematics and science (11% at level 5+).

4 Refine and develop consistent

behaviour strategies so the

nearly all pupils display

outstanding behaviour for

learning (School Council Target)

Impact of pupil voice is evident in the work of the pupil leadership teams.

CPD and support from SLT for Growth Mindset and Behaviour Management is ongoing – this will be a long term strategy to embed.

During lesson observation, nearly all pupils demonstrated very good behaviour for learning.

Numbers of pupils who reach Step 3 on our positive behaviour steps have reduced.

A small percentage of staff make positive telephone calls / send home positive notes to parents – this practice needs to be shared and embedded by all staff.

5 Implement the Digital

Competency Framework –

training and leadership

development so that all staff are

confident in delivering the skills

framework at the expected

levels.

All staff members have received trianing and become familiar with the Digital Competency Framework. Staff use the framework to plan and provide cross-curricular activities as well as ICT skills development.

The IT team have completed the majority of the 360º Digital Safety assessment to ensure that the school meets the requirements of e-safety.

All staff have signed an agreement about their personal and professional use of the internet and IT equipment.

An audit of ICT equipment was completed in preparation for the change to Nant Caiach from an ICT suite to a classroom from September 17 onwards.

The ICT team collaborates with other curricular teams to ensure the appropriate use of resources and apps through cross-curricular themes.

6 Ensure continuity in good or

better standards of teaching

through a mentoring programme

designed to support, challenge

and raise standards of all staff at

school. (SDP)

Disseminate the good and

excellent practice in teaching

throughout the school (R3 – PIP)

Teaching staff share planning on a google drive to enable SLT and other staff to contribute and evaluate the provision.

Year 6 / 7 teachers have created triads to share good and better practice across schools who feed the Gwyndy site.

Support staff are engaged in CPD training – Aiming for Excellence – to discuss and understand good or better practice as leaders of learning. As a part of their training, an opportunity to observe sector leading practice with Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Casnewydd has been arranged.

Cluster moderation meetings were held for all year

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groups where teachers shared books – good practice shared.

Performance management targets reflect this priority.

School Development Plan / Post Inspection Plan

2017-2018

Target 1 - Continue to close the gap between the attainment and

attendance of pupils who are eligible for free school meals and their

peers.

Target 2 - Ensure that more able pupils are challenged consistently

throughout the school.

Target 3 - Disseminate the good and excellent practice in teaching throughout the school.

Target 4 - Raise standards of oracy and promote Welsh heritage amongst the pupils – The

Welsh Language Charter.

Toilet Facilities

Cleaners are employed by Caerphilly LA to clean the toilets twice a day, ensuring a sufficient

supply of toilet paper, soap and hot water. The temperature of the water is checked on a

weekly basis by the caretaker. Unannounced hygiene inspections took place and all toilets

were deemed to be of a satisfactory standard.

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Financial Statement

School Budget - Expenditure and Income (April 2016 – March 2017)

Area of Spending Total Amount Overall Balance

Staffing Costs £1,058,746

Premises Related Costs £146,972

Supplies and Services £81,375

School Development Plan £10,858

LA Service Level Agreements £30,447

Total Expenditure

£1,328,398

Income

£117,566

Net Expenditure

£1,210,832

Total Funding for School (April 2016 – March 2017)

Funding Amount Overall Balance

Total Formula Allocation £1,217,999

Balance carried forward from previous year

£81,745

Total Funding £1,299,744

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School Terms and Holidays 2017/2018

In addition, the school will be closed for five further teacher training days. These will be notified to

you in due course through text message and they will be published on the school’s website. This

calendar meets the statutory requirements of 195 days, of which 190 are spent with pupils present

and five for teacher training.

School Times

Children of Foundation Stage age are required by the National Curriculum to work a

minimum of 21.5 hours a week (excluding breaks, assembly and registration).

Children of Key Stage Two age should work a minimum of 23.5 hours per week.

Foundation Phase Key Stage 2

School Starts 9.00 – 10.30 a.m. 9.00 – 10.45 a.m.

Morning Break 10.30 – 10.45 a.m. 10.50 – 11.05 a.m.

Lunch 12.00 – 1.15 p.m. 12.15 – 1.15 p.m.

Afternoon Break 2.35 – 2.45 p.m. 2.20 – 2.30 p.m.

School Ends 3.30 p.m. 3.30pm

N.B. Pupils of non-statutory nursery age attend school on a part time basis:

Morning group: 9:00 – 11:45

Afternoon group: 12:45 – 3:30

O I Half Term

Autumn Term 2017 04.09.17 22.12.17 30.10.17 - 03.11.17

Spring Term 2018 08.01.18 29.03.18 19.02.18 –

23.02.18

Summer Term 2018 16.04.18 24.07.18 28.05.18 –

01.06.18

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Access for Disabled Pupils

Ysgol Y Castell welcomes children with special needs and abilities. To ensure that all children have

equal access to the curriculum, the SENCO, class teachers, Headteacher and outside agencies will

work together to provide for each individual’s needs. The school’s Equal Opportunities policy and

policy for Special Educational Needs explain this in more detail.

The building itself has limitations as far as access for disabled persons is concerned. There is ramp

access to the main building, hall and external classrooms. Although the school has two disabled toilet

facilities, physical access in some areas remains difficult.

Where possible, arrangements will be made to accommodate disabled

pupils and visitors.

Additional Learning Needs

Whilst we encourage all children in Ysgol Y Castell to work to their full

potential, we recognise that some children will require some extra support at

times during their school career.

We place these children on our register of Additional Learning Needs (ALN)

and our Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator (ALENCo) then assists the

class teacher, parents and children to write:-

an Individual Educational Plan (IEP),

Individual Behaviour Plan (IBP),

Play Plan for younger children,

which will set out a programme of work for that child to follow.

The ALENCo (Mrs S. Curran) also liaises with parents, other staff, the school nurse, Speech and

Language therapists and the Psychology Service. The school takes advice and support from the LA,

through Inclusion Services, which covers all of the above agencies as well as Behaviour Support and

the Hearing and Visual Impairment services.

Some pupils require intensive 1:1 support; some receive a few hours a week to under take specific

tasks and others are supported in smaller groups. Most children are supported within the classroom,

with differentiated work and teacher support. Our school is an inclusive one, and we welcome pupils

with a wide variety of needs and abilities into our mainstream classes. All pupils are fully involved in

day to day activities, both within the school and in the community.

The term Additional Learning Needs also includes pupils who have special talents; being academic,

musical or sporting talents. Therefore, we recognise and challenge More Able and Talented pupils to

excel at their strengths. We have invested in a programme to target children who can achieve the

higher level in literacy with extra support. This has had a positive impact on the children’s wellbeing

and resulted in them attaining the higher levels.

We aim to ensure that all our pupils have access to the curriculum, no matter what their needs and

abilities, and we will continue to use a range of support mechanisms and services to achieve this.

The school’s prospectus is updated annually and is available to all on the school’s website.

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The Governing Body

The Governing Body is responsible for the effective management of the school.

There are seventeen Governors (including the Head teacher in an ex-officio

capacity). Terms of office are normally four years and the Full Governing Body is

currently constituted as shown below.

The Clerk to the Governors is Mrs Ruth Michard, who may be contacted via the

Education Achievement Service, Tredomen House, Tredomen.

Name Type of Representative Terms of Office

Mr. Gareth Williams

(Chairperson)

LA Representative 10.02.16 – 09.02.20

Mrs Anwen Hill Community Representative 23.01.16 – 22.01.20

Mrs Eleri Betts LA Representative 12.06.13 – 11.06.17

Miss Sara Davies LA Representative 18.05.17 – 17.05.21

Dr. Iwan Morris LA Representative 01.09.16 – 31.08.20

Mrs Lisa Missen Community Representative 05.02.16 – 04.02.20

Mr. Emyr Jones Community Representative 04.11.15 – 03.11.19

Miss Rhian Jones Community Representative 18.05.17 – 17.05.21

Mrs Heather Bie Parent Representative 05.11.14 – 04.11.18

Mr Chris Webb Parent Representative 15.03.16 – 14.03.20

Mrs Vicky Coxon Parent Representative 28.11.13– 27.11.17

Mrs Sonya Hughes Parent Representative 15.03.16 – 14.03.20

Mrs Ceri Tomlinson Parent Representative 15.03.16 – 14.03.20

Mrs Helen Nuttall Head Teacher 01.09.09

Mrs Cath Evans Lugg Teacher Representative 12.03.15 – 11.03.19

Mr Daniel Davies Teacher Representative 11.04.16 – 10.04.20

Mrs Mairwen Dainton Support Staff Representative 01.09.14 – 31.08.18

The next election date for two Parent-Governors is November 2017.

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Contact Details

Caerphilly County Borough Council – Local Education Authority

Chief Education Officer

Mrs. K. Cole

Tŷ Penallta,

Tredomen

Telephone (01443 815588)

www.caerphilly.gov.uk

School Contact Information

Chair of Governors: Mr Gareth Williams (c/o Ysgol Y Castell)

Headteacher: Mrs Helen Nuttall

Clerk to the Governors: Mrs Ruth Michard

(Contact at Education Achievement Services, Tredomen House,Ystrad Mynach)

Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Y Castell

Crescent Road

Caerphilly

CF83 1WH

Telephone (029 20864790)

Fax (029 20867220)

E-Mail: yycpa@caerphilly.gov.uk