'Excite, Motivate & Innovate - Striving for Excellence Together'
WELCOME BY THE CHAIR OF GOVERNORS
Dear Parents and Carers,
I am delighted to present the Annual Report to Parents, which provides an overview of the activities and achievements of Barry Island Primary School during the last academic year. Although, with continued financial difficulties for schools that remain a significant challenge, our commitment to nurture each individual learner remains at the heart of our ethos, ensuring that all pupils are supported to maximise their potential.
Throughout the past year, school life has been remarkably busy, with our dedicated staff working tirelessly to provide a wide range of enriching events and activities. These experiences not only foster educational development but also promote social, emotional, and physical growth among our learners. From educational trips to collaborative projects, every effort has been made to ensure that our pupils enjoy a holistic and engaging learning environment.
The importance of community in our school cannot be overstated. We welcome the input of parents and the local community, recognising the vital role they play in the success of our educational mission. Our partnerships with parents and carers have strengthened significantly, enabling us to create a supportive network that benefits our pupils immensely. The collaboration extends beyond the classroom, as we engage with local organisations to enhance our curriculum and provide further opportunities for our students.
As we reflect on the achievements of the past year, we remain committed to continuous improvement and excellence in education. Together, with the support of our parents and local community, we will strive to ensure that every child at Barry Island Primary School has the opportunity to thrive. We look forward to another year filled with growth, learning and success.
Thank you for your continued support.
Ceri Witchard
Welcome By The Head Teacher
Dear Parents and Carers,
It is a privilege to work with a dynamic teaching team, Governing Body and all parents/carers to support pupils in their journey through primary school. The commitment and dedication shown by everyone involved in our school community have contributed significantly to our achievements this year.
Thanks to effective partnerships, Barry Island Primary continues to provide exciting opportunities for all learners. This year, we have further developed our collaborations with Cardiff Met University, Sony, St Fagans Museum, Ty Froebel, Vale Coastal Management Centre, Ysgol Sant Baruc Primary and Whitmore High School, amongst others. These partnerships have enriched our curriculum and enabled us to offer a diverse range of experiences that stimulate and engage our pupils.
As we strive for excellence, it is our aim to continuously raise standards in Literacy and Mathematics, whilst providing an innovative curriculum that is inclusive for all learners. Our goal is to cater to the needs of every child, ensuring that they feel valued and supported as they navigate their educational journey.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the entire teaching team, the Governing Body and all parents and carers for their dedication and focus this year. Your support and collaboration play an integral role in making Barry Island Primary School a wonderful place to learn. Together, we will continue to foster an environment that nurtures creativity, critical thinking and a love of learning for our pupils.
'Excite, Motivate & Innovate - Striving for Excellence Together.'
Kind Regards,
Matt Gilbert
2023/24 School Improvement Plan Priorities
At Barry Island School, we are committed to fostering an environment where all learners thrive. To achieve this, we engage in robust self-evaluation processes that enable us to systematically review our learning priorities. These processes are essential in identifying areas for enhancement and ensuring that our educational strategies are aligned with the needs of our diverse student demographic.
We place significant emphasis on feedback gathered from various stakeholders, including our dedicated teaching team, comprehensive pupil assessments, and insights derived from parents and pupils, through questionnaire analysis. This multifaceted approach ensures that our review of learning priorities is thorough and reflective of the community we serve.
Each academic year, the school produces an annual School Improvement Plan that addresses the identified priorities. This plan is not a static document; rather, it is a dynamic framework that we review regularly to track our progress on our educational journey. Evaluations allow us to make necessary adjustments and refine our strategies, ensuring continued improvement in both teaching and learning outcomes. Through these commitments, Barry Island School strives to create a nurturing and effective educational environment that champions the success of every learner.
SIP Priorities 2024
Priority 1: Wellbeing - Attendance
Priority 2: Learning Environment
Priority 3: Learning – Assessment & Curriculum
Priority 4: New Curriculum/Teaching & Learning
Priority 5: Welsh
The Curriculum 2022 - Opportunities & Learning Experiences
In alignment with our school’s aim to 'Excite, Motivate & Innovate - Striving for Excellence Together,' the teaching team has meticulously designed an innovative curriculum intended to inspire and support all learners. This ambitious framework is not merely a response to the educational landscape; rather, it embodies our commitment to fostering an engaging and adaptable learning environment that meets the diverse needs of our students.
At the core of this curriculum is the Digital Competence Framework (DCF) and Language, Numeracy Framework & (LNF), which underpins our pedagogical approaches and ensures that digital, literacy and numeracy skills are integrated across all areas of learning.
Furthermore, all learners are afforded the unique opportunity to engage in Action Enquiry-based learning. This method encourages pupils to explore real-life contexts, thereby enhancing their acquisition of skills and knowledge that are directly applicable to their everyday experiences.
Through this innovative curriculum and bodies of work, we aim not only to fulfil the requirements of the Curriculum for Wales 2022 but also to empower our pupils to become confident, independent thinkers. By cultivating a culture of inquiry and creativity, we strive to prepare our learners for the challenges of the future while celebrating their achievements and nurturing their potential.
A sample of teaching & learning experiences are detailed below
Cardiff Met University - Fab Lab Workshop
Machine Learning Workshop
Years 4, 5 and 6 live grammar lessons with Pie Corbett.
Institute of Physics Parent Workshop for families.
Easter Crafts
Whole school beach visits with the Vale Coastal Management Centre.
Welsh singing event at with friends at Ysgol St Baruc Primary.
Crucial Crew Barry Fire Station
Harry Potter Day – Big thanks to 'Friends of the School Council!'
Third year of a collaboration project with Cardiff Met University – 18 students supporting enquiry led curriculum projects across all classes
i-Rock band peripatetic sessions
Year 1 Community Walk research of jobs in the community
Year 2 & 4 residential visit to Atlantic College
PBuzz music afternoon
Residential - Year 5 & 6 – Manorbier
Fire Engine visit
Equality & Inclusion for All Learners
In our commitment to fostering an environment that promotes equity and inclusion, the school’s policies and aims are designed to enable all learners to thrive. We firmly believe that every child has an inherent right to an education in a safe and supportive setting, where their unique needs are acknowledged and catered for.
Inclusivity is at the heart of our educational philosophy, ensuring that each student, regardless of their race, background or ability, can access the curriculum and participate fully in all aspects of school life. Our approaches are underpinned by an understanding that diversity enriches the educational experience, allowing for a broad spectrum of perspectives and ideas.
To facilitate this, we implement a range of strategies and resources tailored to meet the diverse requirements of our learners supported by the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) team. This also includes differentiated instruction, targeted support programmes, and continuous professional development for staff to enhance their skills in recognising and addressing barriers to learning.
As an educational institution, we are dedicated to creating a culture of respect and understanding, where every individual feels valued and empowered. Through collaboration with parents, caregivers, and the community, we aim to cultivate an inclusive atmosphere that celebrates differences and champions equality for all. This year the school has modified policies and engaged with the Vale of Glamorgan's Anti-racial agenda with support from DARPL and Cardiff University.
Attendance - 'Every day Counts'
The Vale of Glamorgan Council continues to work with all schools and families to improve pupil attendance. Barry Island Primary School's attendance target was 94%, with an actual end of year result of 92.4% (below expectation).
Please can all families avoid holidays during term time and ensure pupils attend to ensure they maximise their potential. We are aiming for all individual pupils to achieve an attendance level of above 95%. Please refer to you child's final attendance figure in their end of school report (Summer 2024).
The information below outlines the potential of lessons missed when a child is away from school during term time.
100% Attendance 190 Days in school
95% Attendance - 180 Days - 2 Weeks off school = 40 lessons missed
90% Attendance - 171 Days- 4 Weeks off school = 80 lessons missed
85% Attendance 161 Days - 6 Weeks off school 120 lessons missed.
'Every day counts'
Financial Management Reporting- School Budget
As regularly featured in the local news and debates in the Welsh Assembly, budgets continue to impact schools across the Vale of Glamorgan and Wales. The financial situation for educational institutions remains challenging, with many schools managing notable deficits. For example, Barry Island Primary School had a deficit of £89,270 for the financial year ending April 2024.
In response to these challenges, the Governing Body is dedicated to working alongside the local authority and finance team to explore practical solutions, however the school anticipates an increased deficit of approximately £245,000 for the financial year 2024/25. Engaging in open discussions and strategic planning is essential to addressing the school’s financial situation, while continuing to prioritise the educational needs of the community. As you may agree, the future continues to be a challenge for all schools.
Diolch and thank you for your continued support!
'Excite, Motivate & Innovate - Striving for Excellence Together'