Telephone: 01639 644366 Fax Number: 01639 635605

Email: blaenhonddanprimary@npted.org

Headteacher: Mrs Gayle Major Chair of Governors: Mr Andrew Collins

Work Together, Play Together,

Succeed Together.

Annual Parents’ Meeting

Monday 13th November 2017 - 6.00 p.m.

The aim of the meeting is to discuss the contents of the Annual Report to Parents.

Composition of the Governing Body:

Position

Name

Chair (LEA) Mr. A. Collins Vice-Chair (Community) Mrs A. Gill Headteacher Mrs. G. Major Teaching Staff Mr Morgan Harris Non-Teaching Staff Miss M. Brinkworth-Jones LEA Cllr Wyndham Griffiths LEA Mrs. P. Peet Community Mr M. Harris

Community Mr P. Gwiliam Minor Authority Mr P. Winstone Parent Mrs. N. Davies Parent Mrs S. Roberts Parent Mr J. Powell Parent Mrs. R. Aplin Link Governor TBC Clerk to Governors Mrs A Clarkson

From the Chair of the Governing Body:

Dear Parents and Carers, I am very proud to present you with this Report, which sets out the developments and outstanding progress made by the School and the children over the last academic year. We the Governors take this opportunity to portray to you the life of the School, through its statistics and achievements as listed in this Report. The Governing Body continues to function mainly through the work of its committees, and as Chairman, I would personally wish to thank all my fellow Governors for the continued, unconditional commitment that they give to the School throughout the year. I hope you will agree that life at Blaenhonddan Primary School has had another excellent year. Our aim, at school, is the creation of an experiential based curriculum, unique to our school that is accessible to all. Foundation Phase pedagogy, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Competence are all intended to give every child the opportunity to learn and achieve through exploration, discovery, excitement and fun. Access to this curriculum, combined with the talent, commitment and enthusiasm of the teachers, underpinned by detailed planning, will not only enable each child to fulfil their potential academically, but also to learn about their world, their community and the people around them, in order to help and prepare them to become responsible and caring citizens. The report also gives me the opportunity to convey the Governing Body’s sincere appreciation to the Headteacher and Staff for their commitment to the school and for their continued hard work in taking us toward our aim of constantly improving the quality of learning for our children. Thanks must also be given to the PTA for their exceptional efforts in supporting the school in so many imaginative ways. Blaenhonddan is very fortunate to have such a committed group of people, and I would encourage as many parents as possible to engage with the PTA in order to ensure its future and the continuation of their good work. Lastly, but most certainly not least, our gratitude goes to you, the parents and carers of our children, for the co-operation, assistance and support that you continue to give to the School, in all that is asked of you. Our School has a great future ahead of it, and you can be assured, that the Staff and Governors are committed to striving to achieve an educational environment at Blaenhonddan, where every child is given the opportunity and support, in order to achieve their maximum potential, and eventually take their valued place in our society. By working together – staff, parents, Governors and children – we can face the challenges that will present themselves to us, and continue to improve upon the high standards that are reflected within this Report. Chair of Governors – Mr. Andrew Collins and / or Clerk to Governors – Mrs. Annette Clarkson Blaenhonddan Primary School Main Road Bryncoch Neath SA10 7PE

Financial Statement 2016 / 2017

Budget Budget Heading Estimate

Teaching Salaries - See page 1 £544,850 Payroll Costs - See page 1 £214,577 Other Payments - See page 3 £1,425 Administration - See page 4 £17,171 Local Authorities - See page 4 £69,492 Transport £1,500 Contracts - See page 5 £4,572 Premises - See page 5 £44,708 Capitation - See page 6 £21,918 TOTAL EXPENDITURE £920,213 Income - See page 6 £101,480

NET EXPENDITURE £818,733

PROJECTION OF SCHOOL RESERVES

Formula Allocation £800,942 Shortfall -17,791

Estimated Reserves as @ 1/4/16 £27,500

Estimated Reserves as @

31/3/17 £9,709 Reserves as % of Budget

Share 1.2%

Comparative Summary Report Foundation Phase

Comparative Summary Report Key Stage 2

Attendance Information Academic Year 2016 / 2017 Parents are informed about their child’s attendance three times in an academic year. Blaenhonddan Primary 2016/17 September 2016 96.78% January 2017 94.45% May 2017 96.53% October 2016 96.27% February 2017 93.57% June 2017 91.02% November 2016 95.20% March 2017 96.59% July 2017 93.74% December 2016 92.36% April 2017 96.05% Attendance

All Pupils/Yr holl ddisgyblion

2014/15 2015/16 2016/17

% % Quartile/Chwartel % Quartile/Chwarte

l % Quartile/Chwartel

Blaenhonddan Primary 94.78% 94.38% 4 94.82% 4 94.87% 4 NPT/CNPT 94.78% 94.55% 94.69% Although attendance has improved slightly over the last year, we have still not hit the target of 95% and remain in the bottom quartile. Analysis of the data highlights that holiday absence has a significant impact. 1374 sessions were missed last year equivalent to 1.8%. Every class recorded missed sessions but Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 were the worst of all with over 230 missed sessions in all three classes. Holiday % of absence = 1.8% Governors would like to set a target of 95.5% attendance. This will be attempted by first day response, the late book, rewarding classes for good attendance, headteacher assessment on children below 95%, panel meetings with EWO and issuing fines for persistent absentees.

Community Links:

! Weekly Playgroup serving local community run by Staff member. ! Hosting community groups; Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Dance. ! Transition meetings, ! Visits to local church and visits to school from local vicar ! Annual Summer Fair for the community. ! Annual Christmas Fair for the community. ! Knitting Club with our Knitting Nanas coming into school on a weekly basis. ! Parents’ involvement in Sporting events. ! School supports work placement students. ! School supports NVQ students. ! Bryncoch Festival at local rugby club. ! Sponsorship from local business for sports kits. ! Link to local Health Club and Llandarcy to promote healthy lifestyle. ! Supported and Sponsored by local Golf Driving Range. ! Strong links to Dragon Sports and PESS. ! Many inter-school sporting fixtures. ! Large involvement with outside agencies e.g. local historians, health professionals. ! Healthy Schools Award. ! Green Flag Award and Eco-Schools’ Initiative. ! PSE programme run by PC Puckett – South Wales Police. ! Road Safety/Cycling Proficiency course. ! Residential trips for Year 6 using Margam residential. ! Regular trips to Margam Park / Swansea Museum for all age groups ! Hosting Environmental projects. ! Governor visiting days. ! Swansea City Schools Programme ! Ospreys Schools Programme

Clubs, extra curricular activities and achievements: Much enjoyment has been gained by our pupils through participating in sporting activities. Again this year we had a team competing in the indoor football festival at Cwrt Herbert. Pupils have also attended other festivals organised by the Dragon Sports Co-ordinator and we have played games against other schools. We have reached regional finals in Tennis, Football and others. Thanks must be given to the people who give freely of their time to share their expertise with our children, especially parents that volunteer with transport. Extra-curricular activities will be available in 2017/2018. FP and KS2 Glee Club, French & Spanish, Rugby, Football and Netball.

School Terms and Holiday Dates

2017 - 2018 Academic Year 2017/2018 Academic Year

Term Term Begins Mid Term Holiday Term Ends Days

Begins Ends

Autumn 2017 Monday 4th September

Monday 30th October

Friday 3rd November

Friday 22nd December

75 40+35

Spring 2018 Monday 8th January

Monday 19th February

Friday 23rd February

Thursday

29th March

54 30+24

Summer 2018 Monday 16th April

Monday

28th May

Friday 1st June

Tuesday 24th July

66

29+37

Total: 195

INSET DAYS – Monday 4th September 2017 Friday 22nd December 2017 Thursday 29th March 2017 Parents will be informed of the other 2 days via newsletter. The school day begins at 8.50 a.m. and ends at 3.20 p.m. Lunch is 12.00 for Reception, Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6 pupils. There is a twenty minute break during the morning and a ten minute break for FP during the afternoon.

Changes to School Prospectus:

The Prospectus has been updated and includes all statutory requirements. It is available on request from the office and on the school website.

Action Plan: The School Improvement Plan (SIP), which has been drawn up by Governing Body and Staff is a three year plan which is annually updated. The plan seeks to improve issues involved in curriculum.

Curriculum Development

This year’s programme of classroom monitoring, evaluation and review is progressing as planned, in line with the School Self-Evaluation (SER) The focus of the observations relate to SIP objectives. The implementation of the Cornerstones, ERW Literacy and Discovery RE schemes of work are being monitored very closely to evaluate impact.

Activities and Visits We have tried to vary the children’s experiences through the delivery of a including; Margam Residential trip for Year 6, Margam environmental lessons, Museum visits, seaside studies, Cardiff trip, Celts Museum, Swimming, Violins Project, Warburton’s Healthy Sandwich, Dental visits, Hand washing demonstrations, NSPCC, Church visits, Orchestra, Kerb Kraft, Dance teacher, Welsh Teacher, Community Project Plus, Jolly Phonics, Healthy Schools, SUSTRANS, Henson the Hedgehog, Local Fire service, people who help us, Y Llais, Road safety Quiz, RNLI, Neath Fair, Crucial Crew and many, many, more.

Staff Development

Staff have continued their own professional development by attending courses, Professional Learning Communities, sharing good practice and liaising with other staff in a variety of areas; Funding for this is through the Education Improvement Grant & Welsh Education Grant.

Welsh language Welsh is taught throughout the school as Welsh Second Language, staff and pupils use “everyday” welsh around the school. Support from the Welsh Language peripatetic service has not been very forthcoming this year as a result of staff difficulties within the service. This has been rectified and support will be received in a different way from September 2017.

Policies: The Governing Body committee usually receive policies via e-mail to review a policy, priority has been given to Safeguarding and Child Protection, Health and Safety, Anti Bullying( Friendship), Self -Evaluation, Foundation and Curriculum.

School Strategies:

Reading is a major priority in our school and we have bought in a new scheme called Reading Pro. There have been difficulties rolling this out but the intention is to start it from September 2017. The school continues to develop new ways to teach and teach lessons that are engaging, motivating and inspiring for children. Different methods of teaching and learning are used to teach to curriculum subjects and staff are encouraged by the Headteacher to be creative within their lessons. Pupil Voice is a strong feature within the school and pupils know that their voice counts. Target for school improvement are put into the plan and these are on display in the foyer and around the school.

Additional Learning Needs: At Blaenhonddan Primary school every child counts and therefore has individual needs. We plan to ensure that the need of each child is met, whatever their ability and that achievement is celebrated. Provision for additional learning needs are made in accordance with the Code of Practice. This includes the provision for children who hold a Statement for Special Education Needs. We have a LA designated class catering wholly for pupils with moderate learning difficulties; nine children are included in the school and receive additional support in a designated class. Annual reviews and termly parent meetings discussing progress are part of the good practice of the school. Pupils are integrated into the mainstream as often as possible based on the needs of the pupils. At Blaenhonddan, mainstream support is given to children on the register for school action or school action plus. Support is provided as per statement or recommendations from the child’s Individual Educational Programme, with each child being given support appropriate to his/her needs. Every child identified as having additional needs is assessed and where possible assistance is offered. The school has an Additional Learning Needs Policy, which incorporates the Code of Practice for Special Needs. This policy has been passed by the school’s governing body and is available at the school for parents to see.

Toilet Facilities We have 17 toilets available to pupils and 3 for adults. They are in good repair and are cleaned daily, there is a deep clean scrub completed in each toilet in each holiday.

School Leavers: Our Year 6 pupils will take up their places at Dwr–y-Felin Comprehensive , Ysgol Hendre, St Michael’s and Cwm Tawe Comprehensive. The governing body and staff wish them well in their continuing education. Arrangements for Disabled Pupils: All pupils, regardless of any disability, have equal rights to admission into the school. If a child with a disability, which affects their mobility, requires admission then advice is sought from the LA on how best to meet their needs. This includes discussion on whether the needs are best met at a specialist site. The school does have suitable access, disabled lift and toilet arrangements for wheelchairs. Acknowledgements: The Governing Body wishes to complete its annual report by placing on record its thanks to those adults that help the school achieve its goals. The school is a community created by the individuals within it. Each one has a part to play and those who leave the team leave their mark on what they have helped to create.

Andrew Collins Chair of Governors