Annual Report 2019

Ysgol Gymunedol Trimsaran

1

‘Gwnawn ein gorau glas’

Governors Annual Report to parents

2018-19

TRIMSARAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY NO. 108

LEA REPRESENTATIVES (3) TERM OF OFFICE ENDS
Mrs M. Gravell 02/09/2019
Cllr. K. Broom 03/09/2021
Mrs. M. J. James 28/09/2020

ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY GOVERNOR (1) 03/06/2023
Representing: Trimsaran Community Council
Mrs A. Davies

HEADTEACHER GOVERNOR (1)
Mr S. Jones

PARENTAL REPRESENTATIVES (4) 23/11/2021
Mrs H. Raine-Diplock 25/05/2022
Mrs M. Rees 05/11/2022
Mrs J. Jones 31/01/2023
Miss L. Wiltshire

COMMUNITY GOVERNORS (3) 06/03/2020
Mr. D.V. Lloyd 28/03/2022
Mrs S. J. Davies 29/11/2020
Mrs A. Stock

STAFF REPRESENTATIVE (1) 15/04/2020
Mrs. A. Beard

TEACHER REPRESENTATIVE (1) 19/11/2021
Miss C. Roberts

Chairperson of Governors

Mrs M. J. James, 12 Heol Waun y Clun, Trimsaran, SA17 4BE.

Clerk to the Governors

Mrs L Bridgewater, c/o Trimsaran School

Chairperson’s Letter

Dear Parents and Supporters of Trimsaran Community School,

We have now completed our second academic year in our beautiful new school, and our first year under
the leadership of our new headteacher, Mr Steffan Jones. I have heard nothing but praise from all sources
both for the building and for the way that the school is moving on.

As Governors, we are well aware that the school is much more than a building and a headteacher, it is a
team of dedicated professionals which includes teaching and support staff, cleaning, catering and
caretaking all of whom work together to provide the best possible education for each of the pupils in our
care. Thank you to all of you.

Our Annual Report for Parents underlines our belief that all children are entitled to a quality education
which consists of classroom learning enhanced by many other activities designed to help them grow into
confident, well-rounded individuals who are able to achieve their potential in all areas of their lives.
We value all the achievements of each pupil whether academically, sporting or socially and enjoy
excellent links with the local community and the expertise of those who visit the school to give talks and
workshops in different areas.

The Governors also wish to record our thanks to the PTA for their fundraising efforts over the past year
and the significant amount of monies raised.

Thank you too to all the parents who support our school and work with us in the education of our
children.

This report gives an overview of how our school has performed over the past year and, as always, the
Staff and Governors are willing to meet with parents to discuss this report or any other issues which you
may like to raise.

Yours sincerely,

Maggie James
Chair of Governors

Progress on School Action Plan

Ysgol Gymunedol Trimsaran is a Welsh medium school.
Children are immersed in the Welsh language on entry into
the Nursery. The main language of instruction throughout
the foundation phase and Key Stage 2 is Welsh. However,
English is taught in lessons in K.S.2 and an emphasis on
bilingualism ensures that pupils achieve high standards in
both languages by the end of K.S.2.

The Headteacher meets with prospective parents prior to
their children starting and explains the advantages of
bilingualism. All teaching staff in parents meetings etc
reiterates this message.

Parents are helped and supported by teachers in helping their children with homework tasks. We have a
new homework policy where every class within the school are given homework. Homework is given out
on a Thursday and to be returned on a Monday.

Non-Welsh speaking pupils from English medium schools who join the school are fast tracked with
intensive lessons with specialist teachers at the ‘Canolfan Iaith’.

The mainstream secondary school for Trimsaran School is Ysgol y Strade. Ysgol y Strade is a Welsh
medium school. Joint activities are arranged throughout Year 5 and 6 and parents evenings held so that
transition is as smooth as possible.

The pupils follow a thematic curriculum. Themes are arranged and planned carefully for each age range
ensuring complete curriculum coverage. Teachers across the Federated School meet and plan together in
triads. They observe each other’s lessons and share good practice.

The school has received the two core visits. Mr. Glenn Evans spent the first visit scrutinizing data and
looking at the performance of groups of learners. He spoke with pupils during learning walks around the
school. The school has been categorised as a Green School under the Welsh Government’s system. On his
second visit he observed lessons and looked at the schools progress agains the targets set in the School

Development Plan.

Intervention groups are formed on the basis of tests
administered and Teacher Assessments. Pupils who
need extra support in specific areas are taught in
groups daily. Intervention strategies such as ‘Hwb
Ymlaen’, ‘Numicon’, and ‘CHATT’ are used. Progress,
of all learners is regularly and carefully tracked using
Incerts and the schools tracking systems.

The sharing of good practice between two schools
has proved to be invaluable. Teachers plan together
and work on identical themes enabling a sharing of
costs, experiences and resources. Expertise is shared

between the two schools and contributes on all
levels to improving the teaching and learning. This
enables the sharing of resources and expertise that
can be seen for example when the two schools
come together for games and choir practice.

The school continues its effort in reinforcing the
importance of environmental issues. School and
Eco council meet regularly and look for ways in
which environmentally friendly practices can
become a part of the school life. Pupil’s voice is
important and they have been collecting
information and acting on their ideas.

Attendance is a target for Trimsaran School. Efforts are made to increase percentages and persistent
offenders are targeted and encouraged to be punctual and regular attendees.

An effort to improve the use of Welsh in school is proving successful. The county’s Athrawon Bro service
together with the school staff work with pupils in KS2 A group of pupils who have joined the school from
English medium schools within the last year are targeted and fast tracked in intensive group sessions. Our
initiative to promote the Welsh language within the school continues to encourage pupils to use Welsh
outside the classroom as well as inside.

Individual Development Planning meetings have been held to discuss several pupils who have special
needs. Agencies involved share information regularly and plan together for strategies for improvement.
All staff have benefited from receiving training by the county’s Educational Psychologists on “Dispositions
and Approaches to Learning” and “CHATT”. This has enabled staff to use a variety of strategies and
methods when teaching pupils with a wide range of difficulties.

The Design to Smile team has educated the pupils in FPh on the importance of teeth brushing, and have
provided pupils with toothbrushes. Pupils brush their teeth daily in school. All of the above ensures a
sense of wellbeing at school and input from external agencies are appreciated.

The school is in its second year of its Welsh Arts Council Grant. Much work has been done to enhance the
arts by using an Actress to capture the imagination of our learners in Years 5 and 6. Rhianna Davies has
taught children in a dramatic way about some of Wales’ greats including writers such as Roald Dahl,
musicians such as Katherine Jenkins and Tom Jones, Sports people including Tanni Grey Thomson, Nigel
Owens, Ray Gravell and our very own Jonathan Davies and actor Trystan Gravelle. These stories / fact
files have been developed artistically and using ICT created story boards under the guidance of CISP
Multimedia and have been placed along the footbridge linking
the Juniors to the yard – ‘Pont Arwyr’. This work ties up neatly
with the work done for the ‘Siarter Iaith’ (Welsh Charter). We
were delighted to welcome Jonathan Davies, Trystan Gravell,
Mari Gravell and Mari Thomas to officially open the bridge.

Our change in timetable continues to enable learners to read
in small ability groups where they are assessed at six week
intervals and moved up accordingly. Staff have noticed an
increase in engagement, confidence and enjoyment of pupils
during the daily thirty minute lesson and progress in reading
skills.

Community Links

The Junior pupils visited Glan-y-Môr School
for a Music Tour organised by the
Peripatetic Teachers.

Mrs Janet Hawkings of Bible Explorers has
worked with Years 5 and 6 on the New
Testament.

Years 5 and 6 pupils visited Swansea
Museum

Years 1-6 received a Drama Workshop by Menter Cwm Gwendraeth.

P.C. Ali Timothy has visited the school during the year.

Harvest Thanksgiving Service at Llandyry Church.

Design to Smile visit the Foundation Phase pupils on a regular basis.

The P.T.A. and Year 3 pupils organised a Coffee Morning to raise
money for Macmillan Cancer. They raised £185.

Pupils raised £200 for Children in Need.

Reception to Year 4 pupils received the flu nasal spray.

Miss Rachel Davies of Ysgol y Strade and several past pupils visited the school to speak with
parents and pupils of Years 5 and 6.

The School Choir opened the Christmas Fayre at Canolfan Plas y Sarn.

The School Nurse visited the Reception class for a height
and weight assessment and also for Year 1 screening.

TrimyMynydd choir performed at ASDA, Llanelli.

Kerbcraft an enterprise by the National Assembly have
worked with Year 1 pupils to discuss safety on the road.

P.C. Trudy spoke with the Junior pupils regarding staying
safe on Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Gari Go Safe visited the School.

Nursery/Reception performed the Nativity, whilst Years 1-6 performed ‘The Lion King’ for Parents at the
school.

Yr1-6 pupis visited Llandyry Church for a Christingle Service.

Year 6 pupils were invited to have a stall and sell crafts at Ysgol
y Strade’s Christmas Fayre.

Pupils have supported the Urdd Locally. Pupils have also
competed at Mynyddygarreg Eisteddfod.

Pupils took part in an Armistice
Service at Plas-y-Sarn.

Years 1 and 2 visited
Techniquest and The National
Museum in Cardiff.

Years 5 and 6 visited Mari Thomas’ Jewellery Workshop and Newton
House in Llandeilo.

The school choir opened the launch of the Village Wellbeing Conference
at Trimsaran Sports and Social Club.

Years 3 and 4 visited Castell Henllys.

The Junior pupils took part in a St David’s Parade in Kidwelly, organised
by Menter Cwm Gwendraeth.

Years 5/6 have worked with an Actress, Rhianna
Davies, on Wales’ greats including writers such as
Roald Dahl, musicians such as Katherine Jenkins
and Tom Jones, Sports people including Tanni
Grey Thomson, Nigel Owens, Ray Gravell and our
very own Jonathan Davies and actor Trystan
Gravelle. These stories / fact files have been
developed artistically and using ICT created story
boards under the guidance of CISP Multimedia
and have been placed along the footbridge linking
the Juniors to the yard – ‘Pont Arwyr’.

The mobile library visited the school.

Eleanor Goldsmith from the Fire Department
spoke with Years 1-6 pupils on ‘Fire Safety’.

The School Nurse visited Yr5/6 for a wellbeing
talk and also gave a talk to Bl6/Y6 on ‘Growing
up’.

Reception, Years 1 and 2 visited a Jamboree
Show at Pontyberem Hall.

The school choir performed at Llys-y-Godian.

Six pupils attended a ‘Gŵyl Cerdd Dant’ at Ffwrnes Theatre.

Four pupils from the Juniors visited a Welsh
Language Centre at Carway School, 1 day a
week for 10 weeks.

Year 2 have visited Llanelli House.

Emyr Williams has taken our morning
assemblies twice half termly. The aim of
‘Open the Book’ is to inform the pupils of the
main stories in the Bible in chronology.

Three pupils from Year 4 took part in a
‘Buildathon’ Minecraft competition at Parc y
Scarlets.

The school choir had an invite to sing to the Good Afternoon Club at Trimsaran Sports and Social
Club.

9 pupils visited Parc-y-Bocs in Kidwelly one afternoon a week for 7 weeks to create a garden.

Year 5/6 took part in a sponsored walk from Burry Port to Pembrey Country Park to commemorate the
50th anniversary of ‘Save our Sands’.

Year 5/6 visited Ysgol y Strade for a Science Workshop.

The Foundation Phase pupils visited ‘Play King’ Activity Centre.

The Juniors visited ‘The Blue Lagoon’ at Bluestone.

Years 5 and 6 visited Pendine Residential Centre.

The whole school visited Pembrey Country Park for our annual
trip.

A Summer Fayre was held at the school.

PTA

We are fortunate to benefit from an extremely
supportive P.T.A. who have worked hard to organise
various events during the year which include:

 Entertainment Evenings
 Easter Bonnet competition/disco
 Christmas and Summer Fayre
 Coffee Mornings

Their hard work has been invaluable and much appreciated. Thank you for your support.

The PTA have donated £1920 to the school this year which has
been used to purchase 4 storage benches for play time
equipment, play-time equipment, netball posts, speakr (staff
training and display boards) and transportation for the
Nursery/Reception pupils to visit Father Christmas.

The P.T.A. welcome new members. It doesn’t cost you a
penny to join, all we ask is your time to help organise and
host events to raise money for the school.

Additional Learning Needs

There is one pupil with a statement of Additional Learning Needs. Teaching assistants are employed to support some 50
pupils who are currently on School Action and School Action Plus.

Programmes such as ‘Read Write Inc’, ‘Hwb Ymlaen’ and ‘Dyfal Donc’ are being used. ‘Letters and Sounds’ and ‘Tric a
Chlic’ is introduced in the Nursery and is used in the whole of the Foundation Stage for all pupils.

Support is provided by Mrs E. Emmanuel, Mrs A. Beard, Mrs E. Lewis, Mrs S. Calford, Mrs D. Bates, Mrs C. Millon and
Miss K. Reed.

Children can receive their support either in the classroom or by being withdrawn into special teaching areas.

Our change in timetable continues to enable Year 3-6 learners to read in small ability groups where they are assessed at
six week intervals and moved up accordingly by teaching staff. There has been an increase in engagement, confidence
and enjoyment of pupils during the daily thirty minute lesson and progress in reading skills.

Sporting and other achievements

Yr3-6 competed in the Carmarthenshire County Cross-Country
Championships at Carmarthen Showground.

Miss C. Roberts and Mr
D. Humphreys have
enthused many pupils by
holding a weekly sports
club after school.
Rugby, rounders, cricket,
athletics and other
sporting activities are being
held in our weekly sports club.

Year 1 had an opportunity to take part in an athletics
session at Llanelli Leisure Centre.

Congratulations to Chloe Maddrick of Year 5, who travelled to Portugal to take part in a gymnastics
training camp.

Three pupils from Year 6 attended a training course for Bronze Young
Ambassadors at Llanelli Leisure Centre organised by Carmarthensire County
Council. The course inspires them to become role models and leaders
through sport so that they can influence others to take part in sport and
physical activity.

Pupils took part in a whole schoolSuperhero sponsored walk at Trimsaran
Rugby Fields.

Years 2 and 3 had a Hockey taster session, organised by the Urdd.

Year 5 and 6 pupils
assisted Scarlets Rugby with filming to showcase
a resource pack for schools and clubs throughout
the region.

Years 3-6 took part in an Urdd Swimming Gala at
Llanelli Leisure Centre.

Year 3 have received a three week intensive
swimming course at Llanelli Leisure Centre.

Year 5/6 competed in a Girls Rugby Festival at Parc y Scarlets.
Year 5/6 netball team competed at Llanelli Leisure Centre.
The Nursery and Reception classes took part in the
Gwendraeth Valley Sports at Parc y Scarlets.
Rhodri Davies from the Scarlets visited the school to
undertake rugby skills sessions with Years 3-6.
The Derbyn class took part in a Carmarthenshire Bike Festival at
Llanelli Leisure Centre

A whole school fitness week was held which included pupils
walking to school under the supervision of staff, healthy eating,
visit to Blue Lagoon Swimming Pool and our school trip to Pembrey
Country Park.
School Sports Day.

Provision of toilet facilities

Toilets are located in all four of the Foundation Phase classes on the ground floor.

On the first floor, the Key Stage 2 toilets are located centrally.

All toilets are provided with hot water and liquid soap. Toilet rolls and hand towels are replaced daily. Hand dryers
are installed throughout.

All toilets are checked for cleanliness by Teaching Assistants throughout the day and are cleaned by our cleaners
every evening.

Setting & meeting National Targets

In the academic year 2018/19, 12 pupils were assessed by teacher assessment (TA) at KS2 and 32 at end
of Foundation Phase.

The expected National Curriculum Level for an average pupil at Foundation Phase is Outcome 5. The
school and national results are as follows:

The expected National Curriculum Level for an average pupil at KS2 is Level 4. The school and national results are
as follows:

Key Stage 2 Target Setting

Table showing the percentage of KS2 pupils attaining at least level 4 (TA) in the National Curriculum.

SUBJECT 2020 2021 2022
KS2 KS2 KS2
WELSH Cohort = 12 Cohort = 21 Cohort = 26
ENGLISH pupils pupils pupils
MATHEMATICS 1 child = 8.33% 1 child = 4.76% 1 child = 3.85%
SCIENCE 50% 52.4% 80.7%
50% 52.4% 80.7%
66.6% 71.4% 84.6%
66.6% 71,4% 88.5%

In 2019 Targets and Actual Results were as follows:-

SUBJECT TARGET % ACTUAL %

WELSH Cohort = 14 pupils Cohort = 12 pupils
ENGLISH 1 child = 7.14% 1 child = 8.33%
MATHEMATICS 100% 83.3%
SCIENCE
100% 83.3%
100% 75%
100% 75%

Authorised & Unathorised Attendance Statistics

Attendance for the academic year 2018-2019 was 92.82%. The minimum level expected by the Welsh
Assembly Government is 92%. We are just above this level. We therefore have to continue to monitor
this situation during the coming year.

Any child falling below 80% will be referred to the L.E.A. School Welfare Officer.

In the event of an absence parents are requested to inform the school by phone or by letter
otherwise your child’s absence will be considered to be unauthorised.

The following statistics relate to the number of authorised and unauthorised absences expressed
as a percentage of the total number of possible attendances in that term.

TERM AUTHORISED UNAUTHORISED
AUTUMN 5.45% 2.10%

2018 4.03% 2.42%
4.16% 3.35%
SPRING
2019

SUMMER
2019

A request. A significant number of children are now arriving late for the start of the school. This
not only disadvantages them but also disrupts the learning of others. Please make every effort to
ensure that your children arrive on time as this helps them to develop habits that will be of advantage
to them, not just now, but, in the future.

Regular school attendance is vital and missing school can have a significant impact on achievement over a
one year period as illustrated below:

95-100% Best chance of success Your child is taking full advantage of every learning
attendance opportunity.
At least 2 weeks of learning Satisfactory. Your child may have to spend time
90-95% missed catching up with work.
attendance At least 4 weeks of learning Your child may be at risk of underachieving and may
missed need extra support from you to catch up with work.
85-90% At least 5 ½ weeks of learning Your child’s poor attendance has a significant impact
attendance missed on learning.
Your child is missing out on a broad and balanced
80-85% At least 7½ weeks education. You are at risk of prosecution.
attendance of learning missed
Below 80%
attendance

School Terms & Holiday Dates: 2019-2020

Nursery

9.00-11:30am morning

11.30am–12.30pm lunch

12.30–3.00pm finish

Foundation Phase

9.00am–12.00pm morning

12.00–1.15pm lunch

1.15–3.00pm finish

Juniors morning
9.00am–12.30pm lunch
12.30–1.15pm finish
1.15-3.10pm

Statement of Expenditure

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 2018/19
Trimsaran Community School