In 2008-09 we have been awarded the Eco School Silver award, ICT Quality award, Healthy School-part three, Investors in People and Progress File quality award.

Name of School: Ysgol Ty Coch
Date 21st April 2010
In attendance Janette Verpoortern - In School Co-ordinator
Gill Davey – Healthy Schools Co-ordinator
Rebecca Stewart – Healthy Schools Officer

Reason for visit Monitoring (Phase 4)

A number of staff changes have taken place since the last school visit and as a result Janette Verpoortern has now taken on the role of In School Co-ordinator. The Food and Fitness Working Group meeting planned for February 2010 did not take place however it is hoped that a meeting with the school catering service can take place soon.
The NQA indicators for the topic food and fitness were reviewed during the meeting. The discussions that took place are summarised on the attached sheets. The review highlighted the good work already going on in school around this topic including, food and nutrition focused OCN modules, practical cookery work, and opportunities available to both pupils and staff to be active. 

Three areas of action were identified which include:

1. Re-establishing the Food and Fitness Working Group
2. Working with the school catering service to ensure that food and drink provision in school is in line with Appetite for Life guidelines
3. Expanding the current food policy to encompass both food and fitness

It was agreed that in order to progress actions two and three key stakeholders including staff, pupils, Governors, school catering and parents need to be on board with the action.  Therefore re-establishing the FAFWG should take priority to facilitate a whole school approach.  A discussion took place around the role of Governors and the possibility of exploring Governor Food and Fitness Champions. 
Implementing a whole school approach to food and fitness is a challenge however, given the positive attitude of the School Co-ordinator with the support of the key stakeholders outlined this is achievable. 

A monitoring visit TBA following the schools inspection planned for January 2011

Investors in People

In November 2010 Ysgol Ty Coch retained it’s Investors in People status after many staff were interviewed and the school reassessed.  The school has held the Investors in People Award continuously since November 1997.  The award acknowledges the school’s continual commitment:

• Strategies in place for improving performance.
• Strategies for learning and development
• Strategies for managing and developing staff
• Leadership and Management strategies
• Recognition of the value of staff and their contributions
• Practices for decision making
• Measuring the performance of the school.
• Strategies for continuous improvement

The school is delighted to renew its Investors in People status as it acknowledges the commitment and dedication of all staff.

Fairtrade Wales School of the Month 

The Leavers / Post 16 department have been promoting Fair Trade in a
number of innovative and exciting ways, for example
promoting Fair Trade in the school hair salon to members of the school
and wider community and using Fair Trade products in the enterprise
cafe.  All of the students have been very enthusiastic and look
forward to gaining Fair Trade school status. 

Well Done everyone

The Leavers would like to say a big well done to Leir! Leir was runner up in the RCT Youth Awards for Young carer of the year.
Well done Leir from all the Leavers staff and students.

Investors in Families Award.

What is IiF?
Investors in Families is the national accreditation scheme established to recognise those schools and other settings that work with families to achieve the five outcomes of Every Child Matters. 

Aims of Investors in Families 

•To value and support the role that families play in the life of the child

•To support families in developing their children's achievement and self-esteem

•To help families participate in raising their children's achievement and self-esteem 

•To promote social inclusion and a sense of well-being through positive participation in family life

We achieved the IiF Award in July 2010 and  would like to extend a big Thank You to all the pupils, parents, staff,
and Governors involved

Children at Ysgol Ty Coch in are at the forefront of using information and communications technology (ICT) to enhance their work, and that’s official!

Following an extensive external assessment Ty Coch has been awarded the prestigious ICT Mark by Becta, the government-funded body responsible for promoting the use of ICT in Britain’s schools and colleges.

The award recognises the school’s success in developing the strategic use of ICT in both administration and across the curriculum. Parents will have proof that their children are attending a school at the forefront of modern technology.

Congratulations to all the pupil's, staff, Governors and parents who made this possible.

Thanks.

• BECTA Schools

Basic Skills Quality Standard

In September 2008 Ysgol Ty Coch became one of the first schools to be awarded with the new Basic Skills Quality Standard, which replaces the previous achieved Basic Skills Quality Mark. This involved meeting five standards. These are described as a range of skills that include:

The school is very pleased with receiving this award as it reflects all the hard work and commitment of staff.

Review and Development Programme 2009-2010

Ysgol Ty Coch implements a rigours self -evaluation programme to scrutinise implementation of the curriculum and the teaching and learning of subjects in the school.

This term we have focused on English Language development.

An ESIS adviser, Alvine Westerland spent two days reviewing English across the school, she observed lessons, had discussions with the co-ordinator Mrs. Lyn Shone and staff members with responsibility for English at all key stages, perused documents and scrutinised pupils’ work. The visit was very successful and the full report can be accessed via the link below.

The outcome is that:
 
'The departments are to be commended for the high quality of English and Communication provision at all key stages, and in particular the hard work and dedication of all staff,
in particular Mrs Lyn Shone, English Language Development co-ordinator for the school.'
 
 The Senior Management Team and Governors would like to thank all those concerned, especially Mrs. Shone

Full ESIS Report