OUR SCHOOL FAMILY

Acting Headteacher: Mrs Natalie Edwards.

Acting Assistant Headteacher: Miss Lucy Hughes
Foundation Phase Teachers: Mrs. Natalie Edwards, Miss Elen Davies and Miss
Fflur Edwards.
Key Stage 2 Teacher: Miss Lucy Hughes.
Teaching Assistants: Mrs. Ann Davies, Miss Rhiannon Roberts, Miss Kayleigh
Swanson and Miss Tessa Jones.
Caretaker / Cleaner : Mrs Shan Bailey
School Address Ysgol Gymunedol Craig yr Wylfa,
Heol Ffransis,
Ceredigion,
Borth,
SY24 5NJ.
Tel: 01970 871280
e-bost: prif@craigyrwylfa.ceredigion.sch.uk
Website: www.craigyrwylfaschool.weebly.com

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

All our children should:-

be given exciting and challenging opportunities to develop to their full potential in

all aspects of the curriculum.

be provided with an education that is purposeful and relevant to their

experiences in the local community.
be given opportunities to promote and develop bilingualism.
be given equal opportunities in all aspects of school life.
behave appropriately, be polite and be a good example for fellow pupils
respect other people and property.
accept responsibility and be self-critical
develop self-discipline so that they can work confidently and independently in a
safe and homely environment.

As a school we will:-
ensure a close link with parents, governors and the local community to work
together effectively for the benefit of the children.
foster committed and enthusiastic teachers who give of their best for the
benefit of the children.

STAFF AND SCHOOL STRUCTURE

Ysgol Craig yr Wylfa has a team of committed and conscientious staff ensuring the
highest standard of education for their pupils. They continually work hard to
improve the provision for the pupils in school.

Children work as a whole class, in a group, in pairs, and as individuals within a

group, depending on the nature of the given task or lesson.

Each child is given work according to his or her own level to ensure the
development of a child's full potential.

We try our best to reflect the LEAs aim for developing effective learners. These
are to:
learn independently and with others
learn how to manage their own learning
enjoy learning develop confidence and motivation for life-long learning.

SCHOOL HOURS
Morning : 9.00 - 12.00
Afternoon : 1.00 - 3.30

The staff are responsible for the children from 8.45 a.m. to 3.45 p.m.
A member of staff will be on duty during morning and afternoon breaks and at the
end of the day to ensure that every child is safely handed over to
parents/guardians. If your child is absent, could you please send us a note or
phone us by 9.15am with an explanation. If no explanation is received, your child
will be marked as absent without permission on the register. The register is
completed on-line and is regulated frequently by the Data Unit in the Education
Department. A holiday form must be filled if you want to take your child away
from school during term time. All holidays will be marked as an unauthorised
absence. We would like to emphasise that a period of being absent can disrupt the
education of children and a record of being absent with holidays is kept in the
school (see enclosed policy).

AN OPEN DOOR POLlCY

Forging strong links between the home and school is vital to ensure the happiness
and success of the children and forms a very important aspect of our vision.
We have an open door policy to listen and discuss issues, and by co-operating we
aim for the best provision to each and every child during their time at this school.
We believe that the partnership between the school and home is a vital link to
ensure the richest education possible and the most successful experience for the
child.

The staff are available to discuss with you at any convenient time but we kindly
ask you to make an appointment if you would prefer a private discussion.

Various activities are held regularly and we invite parents and friends of the
school to join us in these activities. Many interesting activities are organised by
the school and everybody is very welcome to attend.

As a part of these links we kindly ask parents and children to sign a home / school
agreement to promote close links between the home and the school. We also ask
parents to sign a consent form so that we can use images of the children to
promote the school.

A diary of school activities is sent to parents regularly and letters are sent to
remind parents about important events. This information can be viewed on our
website and can be sent by e-mail. Being a member of the Parents, Teachers and
Friends Committee is also a good way of knowing about school activities.

Two open evenings are held annually for parents to discuss their childrens progress
in school and a formal, written report summarising the childrens development over
the year is also sent to parents.

If you have any concerns about any aspect of your childs time in school, please
contact the Headteacher or the Assistant Headteacher to make an appointment to
discuss the matter immediately.

THE CURRICULUM

At Ysgol Craig yr Wylfa an appropriate emphasis is placed on teaching the key

skills of literacy and numeracy. Many subjects are taught through cross-
curricular themes on a whole school basis, but we also teach the core subjects
separately. Our aim is to ensure a broad, balanced curriculum, introducing a wide
range of interesting experiences relevant to each child's needs, ensuring
progression and continuity. We follow the principles of the Foundation Phase with
children under 7 years old, and the guidelines for Curriculum 2008 and the
National Skills Framework with the children in Key Stage 2.

A new theme is taught each term ensuring cross-curricular links, so that all the
aims of the National Curriculum are introduced and met.

We also aim to introduce and develop key skills and concepts, providing an
opportunity for all the children to develop to their full potential.
The following subjects are taught:

Welsh, English, Mathematics, Science, Design and Technology, Information

Technology and Communications, History, Geography, Music, Art, Physical
Education, Religious Studies and Personal and Social Education according to County
Council and Welsh Government guidelines.

Each child has access to the National Curriculum unless there is a statement of
special educational needs.

A THREE SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP

Since March 2011, Ysgol Craig yr Wylfa have been in an informal, un-statutory
partnership with Ysgol Tal-y-bont. This means that there are two campuses, two
governing bodies managing two budgets, but with one head teacher having overall
responsibility for the two schools.

Since the beginning of the partnership we have seen many advantages through
organizing joint curricular activities, financial savings and in our resources including
staffing.

We are always looking for opportunities to develop the partnership to further

improve our provision to the children.

POLICIES

LANGUAGE
In Ysgol Craig yr Wylfa, Welsh is the only medium of teaching in the infant
classes unless a child has special educational needs and is the main medium of
teaching in the junior years in line with the Local Education Authority guidelines,

English is formally introduced in Year 3. Both languages are then used and
developed side by side to further our aim of each child being confidently bilingual
upon leaving the school.

Non-Welsh speaking pupils entering our junior classes are expected to attend a
Welsh Language Unit. A Welsh specialist teacher ("Athrawes Fro") monitors the
child's work closely and visits the school to liaise with the class teacher and
report on progress.

WELSH
We encourage appropriate listening and responding skills, emphasising proper
pronunciation and speaking correctly. We promote reading as an enjoyable activity
and as a means to use their skills to gather information effectively. We will teach
the children the skills needed to write both creatively and factually and to be
accurate.

ENGLISH
We offer our pupils the opportunities to build on their previous knowledge, ensuring
they develop appropriate oral skills and adapting confidently to different
circumstances. We encourage reading for different purposes and spelling
patterns, adopting the appropriate strategies required. We will also teach our
pupils how to organise their creative and factual writing using the different
characteristics and styles of writing.

GEOGRAPHY
The school ensures many opportunities for the pupils to build on their knowledge of
the local area, and of the wider world. We work to develop and improve pupils
geographical skills, emphasising their knowledge of geographical features and
making comparisons between similar and different areas.

ART
We encourage all our pupils to express themselves creatively and practically,
developing correct, confident use of materials and raising awareness of all artistic
objects. We will produce work in 2D and 3D in different proportions.
We make extensive use of the Arts Centre in Aberystwyth to enrich the
experiences of the arts for the children.

SCIENCE

Our pupils are given opportunities to use and develop their understanding of science
throughout the school.

We aim to help our pupils to develop an understanding of basic scientific ideas

through investigation, analysis and problem solving. We teach the children how to
make quick, accurate recordings of work in different circumstances using
appropriate language.

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

The pupils have opportunities to work with a variety of suitable equipment in a

safe environment. They are taught to work efficiently and carefully, when
expressing their ideas and when constructing models.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & COMMUNICATION

We aim to give cross-curricular opportunities to our pupils to use the range of
technological equipment available in school. We encourage the pupils to follow
instructions and develop their own ideas, recording and saving their work where
appropriate.

HISTORY
We encourage our pupils to understand the past, and to compare the past with the
present day. We seek to use different sources in investigations to develop and
improve knowledge and understanding.

MATHEMATICS
Our pupils are given opportunities to use and develop their understanding of
mathematics throughout the school.

We encourage natural inquisitiveness, introducing varied and flexible means of

investigating, problem solving and recording with speed and accuracy, using the
appropriate language.

We have incorporated the ideals introduced in the National Numeracy File to

enhance the understanding of mathematical concepts to promote the knowledge and
understanding of the basic skills.

Mental arithmetic is also given a high profile throughout the school.

We develop the childrens understanding of patterns and relationships between

number and shape in relation to their immediate surroundings.

MUSIC
We offer a variety of musical experiences, to create, perform and compose music
in a range of different contexts.

Instrumental tuition
Children are given the opportunity to learn to play the recorder from Year 3
onwards, with emphasis on group playing and enjoyment. Local Authority
peripatetic teachers offer harp, brass, percussion and woodwind instruments, violin
and cello lessons. Parents are kindly asked to contribute towards the cost of this
instrumental tuition, and we expect every child to practise at home.

We recommend that pupils do not change to another instrument during the

academic year after starting lessons. Children who reach a satisfactory level can
join the Aberystwyth Schools Orchestra.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The work programme is based on the Christian faith, but we introduce other
religions too. We foster an awareness of caring and concern for others,
truthfulness, honesty and trust with a strong emphasis on moral ethics.

Services are held regularly throughout the week, but parents can withdraw a child
from collective worship and R.E. lessons.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
A range of physical skills are developed in gymnastics, dance, games etc.

Pupils are requested to wear shorts or tracksuit bottoms, t-shirt, trainers or

plimsolls for outdoor lessons, and shorts, t-shirt, trainers or plimsolls for lessons
in the hall.

Where possible, football, rugby or hockey boots should be worn for those games
lessons on the field.

Due to health and safety regulations, jewellery and watches are forbidden and
should be left in a safe place at school. Long hair should also be tied back.

Swimming

All pupils are offered swimming lessons. A swimsuit and towel are necessary for
these lessons. Due to health and safety regulations, jewellery and watches are
forbidden.

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL EDUCATION

Social and moral issues are frequently introduced as matters arise within the
schools programme of work.

HOMEWORK
A little homework, linked to class work, is given to the children. We kindly ask
parents to ensure that the children participate in reading activities every night
and that they are also encouraged to work on mental maths problems regularly,
including times tables.

Children who receive instrumental lessons (including recorders) are also expected to
practise daily.

SCHOOL COUNCIL

The school has a School Council which is elected annually by the pupils. They
organise regular, formal meetings and the minutes are discussed in the Governors
meeting every term.

We encourage the children to care for themselves and the environment through
Eco Schools and Healthy Schools initiatives. The School Council (Criwr Graig)
raises awareness of local, environmental and international issues. We are very
pleased to have been given Step 3 Healthy Schools status, the bronze Eco Schools
flag and we also promote Fair Trade principles.

Our Eco Code

We promise to

CARE FOR THE SCHOLS ENVIRONMENT

RECYCLE AND NOT TO WASTE

ACKNOWLEDGE THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

CARE FOR ALL WILDLIFE

EAT HEALTHILY AND TO KEEP FIT

TURN OFF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

 Healthy Schools

Ysgol Craig Yr Wylfa is an active member of the Welsh Network

of Healthy Schools Schemes. A healthy school is one which actively promotes and
protects the physical, mental and social health and wellbeing of its community
through positive action by such means of policy, strategic planning and staff
development, with regard to its curriculum, ethos, physical environment and
community relations.

Mae Ysgol Craig Yr Wylfa yn aelod gweithgar o Gynllun Ysgolion Iach

Rhwydwaith Cymru. Mae ysgol iach yn ysgol syn mynd ati i hybu a diogelu iechyd a
lles corfforol, meddyliol a chymdeithasol ei chymuned trwy gymryd camau
cadarnhaol megis llunio polisau, gwneud gwaith cynllunio strategol a datblygu staff,
mewn perthynas chwricwlwm, ethos ac amgylchedd ffisegol yr ysgol ai
chysylltiadau r gymuned.

TRANSPORT

Transport is provided by the Local Education Authority for children that live two
or more miles from their nearest school. Forms are available from the head
teacher.

At times we may kindly ask parents for help in transporting the children to various
activities. We emphasize the need for those parents who offer support to ensure
that their insurance policy allows them to do this and that safety belts and seats
are of a legal standard. Parents must give consent for their children to be
transported by other parents.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

We offer a broad range of extracurricular activities for our pupils and aim to
provide them with the opportunities and experiences to develop new skills and build
on existing skills. The after school clubs are very popular and include children in
years 2-6. We aim to provide our pupils with the following experiences during the
school year: Cooking Club, Sports Club, Urdd Club, Dance Club, Gardening Club and
Art and Craft Club.

Children compete in a variety of sporting events including swimming, cross-country

running and football. We also compete in the annual Urdd Eisteddfod.

Ysgol Craig yr Wylfa regularly holds annual events within the school and in the
community. We also encourage our children to support local and national events to
enhance their social development.

Parents and friends are always welcome to join us in our annual Thanksgiving
Service, the Christmas concert, our St. David's Day activities and our sports day.

PAYMENT FOR SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Parents are kindly asked to contribute towards school excursions where necessary.

ASSESSMENT

The class teacher assesses pupils work regularly as part of every child's learning
programme. Children are also assessed formally in national tests, as required
under LEA and National Assembly regulations. Comprehensive records, kept by the
class teacher, are passed on as the pupils move through school to ensure continuity
and progression.

PARENT TEACHER AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION

The school is fortunate to have a very active, committed P.T.F.A. Regular

meetings and events are held to discuss educational matters and to raise money to
improve the provision and resources for our pupils.

New committee members are elected at the Autumn annual general meeting.

SCHOOL / COMMUNITY LINKS

We are very proud of the close links that exist between the school and the
community. We are very pleased to offer a monthly lunch to the local senior
citizens which has worked well to develop the children as conscientious citizens who
experience the benefits of contributing to the community. The children are
regularly invited to local events eg holding concerts for the senior citizens and
charity evenings. We take advantage of regular opportunities to visit the local
church and community hall to hold special events such as the Harvest Festival
service and our Christmas activities. Members of the community regularly support
our activities and offer the children help in many areas.

BREAKFAST CLUB
The schools Breakfast Club begins at 8.15 and the session ends at 8.45. All pupils
arriving before 8.45 must stay in the school hall at all times.

HEALTH VISITS

The Health Visitor visits the school on a regular basis to check on medical, dental,
sight and hearing development and for speech therapy. Parents may opt out of this
service.

If your child has health problems that could affect school work, please contact
the head teacher. It may be possible to request further support or advice from
medical agencies.

SCHOOL SAFETY

The security of each pupil is of the utmost importance, and every step is taken to
ensure the safety of everyone connected to the school.

Our Health and Safety policy is based on County Council recommendations in their
Health and Safety Policy Guidelines file, and risk assessments are undertaken
regularly.

We ask parents to be patient and careful when bringing children to school and
when collecting them at the end of the day. No-one should park on the yellow
lines outside the school. We also kindly ask parents to collect their children from
the main entrance at the end of the day, due to Health and Safety reasons.

We welcome the fact that many pupils walk to school and we provide a safe place
to store bicycles.

No child is allowed to leave the school early without permission. If there is a

change to normal arrangements, the parents are requested to inform the
Headteacher / Assistant Headteacher or the class teacher of the new
arrangements.

Every September, parents are requested to sign a form giving permission for their
child/ren to go on school trips, to walk home on their own ac to be in photographs
and videos promoting the school.

If a child arrives late or leaves early, the late book kept in the main entrance
must be filled.

Every visitor must ring the bell at the main entrance before gaining access to the
school. Fire drills are held each term. The schools Attendance Policy is enclosed.
CHILD PROTECTION PROCEEDURES

All members of staff are responsible for the safety and protection of the children
who attend the school. If there are concerns regarding neglect or physical,
emotional or sexual abuse, staff are duty bound under the Countys Child
Protection Procedures to report the matter to the Schools Child Protection Co-
ordinator (The Assistant Headteacher or the Headteacher).

The co-ordinator may consult with professional colleagues and relevant agencies
such as Health and Social Services. Following these discussions the school may be
obliged to make an official referral to The Social Services Department in
accordance with county guidelines and protocol. The Social Services Department
decides on the next course of action.

Due to the nature of the allegations it will not be appropriate to discuss matters
with parents prior to making a referral. The responsibility for investigating
allegations lies with Social Services and the Police and they will meet with the
child as soon as possible if it is thought that a crime has been committed.