Welsh Ed Scheme cover - Pembrokeshire County Council
Transcription
Welsh Ed Scheme cover - Pembrokeshire County Council
WELSH EDUCATION SCHEME A Language Scheme pertaining to education prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Welsh Language Act 1993 APPROVED: JULY 2004 Gerson Davies Director of Education and Community Services PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL WELSH EDUCATION SCHEME A Welsh Education Scheme, which is a Language Scheme pertaining to education prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Welsh Language Act 1993 Approved: July 2004 Gerson Davies Director of Education and Community Services Table of Contents 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. Introduction The County’s School Organisation Plan and its relation to the Welsh Education Scheme Geographical and linguistic background The state of the Welsh language since 1990 Main aims and objectives of the Welsh Education Scheme The history and development of the authority’s Welsh language policy The growth and development of Welsh medium and bilingual education in the LEA The development of Welsh as a second language within the LEA School Definitions - linguistic categories Current provision Welsh medium and bilingual nursery education Primary schools and Primary education Secondary schools and Secondary education, including the Careers Service and Youth Services Special Educational Needs (SEN) The Athrawon Bro Service and the Advisory Service Language Centres Information for parents about Welsh medium and bilingual education Staffing and recruitment Community Education and Basic Skills Training and services for School Governors Post -16 provision Links with other authorities and organisations The transport policy The funding policy for Welsh medium education School catchment areas Future developments Monitoring Targets and implementation timetable Appendices 1. Census data : Welsh speakers by individual electoral wards – WITH MAP. 2. List of examples of INSET courses to support the development of Welsh in schools. 3. Projections for numbers of primary and secondary school pupils for the next 3-5 years. 4. A map of the County showing the location of Welsh medium and bilingual schools – including their catchment areas. 5. Key features of the Language Policy 1. INTRODUCTION 1. In June 1998, Pembrokeshire County Council published a Welsh Language Scheme in accordance with the requirements of the Welsh Language Act 1993. It was approved by the Welsh Language Board, and states how the County Council, in its dealings with the public, will treat the Welsh and English languages on the basis of equality. Under Section 5 of the Welsh Language Act 1993, the Local Education Authority is required to provide a Welsh Language Scheme dealing specifically with Education. For ease of reference this Scheme is called a "Welsh Education Scheme". 2. The “Welsh Education Scheme” forms part of the Main Language Scheme. a) Pembrokeshire County Council’s Welsh Education Scheme was approved by the Welsh Language Board under Section 14(1) of the Welsh Language Act 1993, on June 12th, 1998. Following the Welsh Education Scheme’s three year implementation period, this Scheme becomes its successor. b) This Welsh Education Scheme was approved by the Welsh Language Board under Section 14(1) of the Welsh Language Act 1993 in July 2004, but the scheme, along with the targets deriving from it, was completed by September 2003. c) The commitments and arrangements contained in this Welsh Education Scheme have been approved at the highest level, and the Scheme will be implemented bearing the full authority and support of the Pembrokeshire County Council. d) Should any targets in this Welsh Education Scheme require the implementation of further statutory procedures, these will be fully implemented according to appropriate legislative requirements such as the terms of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. Further information regarding the “Welsh Education Scheme” is available from: Marian Thomas - Welsh Language Adviser Education Department County Hall Haverfordwest Pembrokeshire SA61 1TP Telephone number: 01437 775018 Fax number: 01437 775838 2. THE COUNTY’S SCHOOL ORGANISATION PLAN AND ITS RELATION TO THE WELSH EDUCATION SCHEME 2.1 The County’s School Organisation Plan (SOP) demonstrates a commitment by the Authority to advance its education and training agenda, and to continuing to raise attainment standards from their current levels. Central to this commitment is the fundamental element that ensures pupils and students are provided with the educational stimulus to promote their language skills leading to bilingualism, and thus the appropriate proficiency in Welsh and English to meet the needs of the communities served by our schools. 2.2 The following statements are in the Authority’s School Organisation Plan: • The proposals contained in the Plan are clearly linked to the priorities articulated in the Education Strategic Plan to make the most effective and efficient use of finite resources in order to raise educational standards. • The Authority asserts its belief in the educational value of acquiring two languages. The aim of this bilingual policy is to educate pupils so that they are thoroughly bilingual in the use of both Welsh and English on leaving the primary school so that they can participate fully in the bilingual community of which they are a part. The provision made should ensure that every pupil is able to communicate with confidence in both languages and that they have an appreciation of the cultural heritage of Wales. • The Authority recognises the fact that certain areas of the County have distinctive cultural and linguistic characteristics which must be taken into consideration when evolving an effective language policy for Pembrokeshire as a whole. • The teaching of Welsh and English, either as a first or second language is a statutory requirement in all primary schools in Pembrokeshire in accordance with the above policy. Special provision is made for pupils who are late comers to Pembrokeshire primary schools including additional support at language centres which specialise in the teaching of Welsh. • The Authority will monitor numbers expressing a preference for Welsh Medium Education and will take account of trends in planning or expanding future provision and the number of school places. • It is projected that the demand for bilingual primary education will continue to increase. The required places can be accommodated until 2003 through existing provision. Proposals are in place to increase the capacity of the designated Welsh medium school in September 2003. • The demand for bilingual secondary education is expected to continue to rise further in the short term and provision of some additional, specialist space will be made in the County's bilingual secondary school in 2003/04. The vision contained within the School Organisation Plan (SOP) states clearly the objectives and sets out the Local Authority’s approach. The Education Service will endeavour to: • promote the effectiveness and development of schools in order to improve educational achievement over the whole age and ability range, especially if there is evidence of under-achievement; • offer support, working together to celebrate and promote the success of young people and individual pupils in the wider educational context; • improve the quality of life and expectations of children and young people, in particular those with special educational needs and/or who are likely to be at risk in our society; • persuade more people to take part in lifelong learning in partnership with other agencies and all members of the community; • provide an effective and efficient bilingual service that is reviewed and evaluated on a regular basis by consultation with service users and other interested parties. In terms of the SOP's priority areas and key objectives the following are particularly relevant to the Welsh Education Scheme. [See: 1.9 - Page 8, 17.1 – 17.4 - Page 34 - 35, 25.5 - Page 39, 26.3 - Page 40] 2.3 The Welsh Education Scheme will include specific cross-references to the School Organisation Plan wherever appropriate. To obtain a copy of the School Organisation Plan from the Authority, contact: Anne Evans, Professional Officer, Planning Places and Development – 01437 775502. 3. GEOGRAPHICAL AND LINGUISTIC BACKGROUND 3.1 Pembrokeshire County Council is a Unitary Authority established when local government was reorganised in Wales in April 1996. It has 60 elected Councillors. Within its existing boundaries there is a wide range of linguistic, cultural and social traditions, often based on the nature of the different kind of communities in the County. The Council serves 114,131 inhabitants in an area covering 160,979 hectares, which is approximately 7.5% of the Welsh landmass. The county is predominantly rural, with a population density of 71 people per square kilometre, which is about half of the Welsh average. Just under half live in the five main towns of Fishguard, Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock. The remainder live in 73 rural Community Council areas across the County. Population projections show that the proportion of people of pensionable age will increase significantly in future years, and the number of young people will decline, which has implications especially for health and the economy. Pembrokeshire has an important agricultural base, but the economy is dominated by the service sector. Principal employers are associated with public administration, education and health, and tourism also accounts for significant numbers of employment opportunities including hotels, restaurants and goods distribution. Pembrokeshire hosts a predominantly small business economy. Although this is in many ways a good sign and one of an entrepreneurial culture, these businesses are often restricted by the small size of local markets. The tourist industry has a significant effect on population at certain times of the year; for example in excess of one million visitors stay per annum and a further 2,400,000 day visits every year, with an average of 56,000 visitors per day during August. Pembrokeshire’s peripheral geographical location is hindered by being poorly served by road and rail links, which further exacerbates the perception of remoteness. This has contributed to fewer employment opportunities and thus levels of unemployment, which are consistently above the Welsh average, with a consequent knock on effect for the Pembrokeshire economy. The ports of Fishguard and Pembroke Dock provide significant ferry links to Southern Ireland, resulting in a large throughput of people and traffic, both private and commercial, across the county. 23,689 (21.5%) Welsh speakers live in the County. The 2001 Census figures state that 40% within the 3-15 age group, and 23% within the 1624 age group are Welsh speakers. [Refer to Appendix 1: Welsh Speakers – County Census Data] 3.2 In Pembrokeshire, as in a number of other Unitary Authorities in Wales, there is a substantial difference in the percentage of Welsh speakers within the various communities. At the extremes, only 10.1% of the population can speak Welsh in Milford Central, while 63.4% are able to speak the language in Crymych. Pembrokeshire County Council is responsible for providing electors with a range of local government services. These are supplied by the following directorates, from the main centre in County Hall, Haverfordwest: Chief Executive, Central Units, Education and Community Services, Finance and Leisure, Social Care and Housing, Development, Support and Cultural Services, and Transportation and Environment. The County’s Education Department is based at County Hall and the service provides education for children aged between 3 and 18 in schools. 19,262 children aged between 3-18 are educated in the County: 10,749 in the primary sector and 8,513 in the secondary sector. The size of the primary schools varies from 21 pupils in Angle VC Primary School to 468 in Pembroke Dock Primary School, and the size of the secondary schools from that of 418 at Ysgol Dewi Sant to 1,549 in Pembroke Secondary School. 3.3 16.8% of the County’s primary pupils and 9% of secondary pupils receive Welsh medium/bilingual education. 2.4% of pupils in the County have a statement of Special Educational Needs and receive their education bilingually or through the medium of Welsh. 3.4 Pembrokeshire County Council adopted the principle that the Welsh and English languages should be treated equally in dealing with the public and in the administration of justice. This principle is an integral part of the “Welsh Education Scheme”, and of the Authority’s aim to promote the successful development of Welsh as a first and second language in its educational establishments. 4 THE STATE OF THE WELSH LANGUAGE SINCE 1990 In the twenty year period up to the 1990’s the single most important factor in demographic change in West Wales was net migration into the area. The period saw the continued out migration of young persons to centres or further and higher education, and the movement into the area of families from predominantly the South East and Midlands areas of England. In the 1990’s this cross flow of migrants has continued but the imbalance of movers in to those moving out has narrowed. The 2001 Census indicates that 69% of Pembrokeshire residents were born in Wales as compared to 70% in 1991. Natural change factors such as births and deaths currently do not have a dramatic effect on population totals. Over the last five years the average number of births in the County has been 1232 per annum. This compares with an average death’s total of 1378 per annum. This imbalance of deaths over births currently means that the resident population is decreasing through natural factors by 0.13% per annum, but given that the overall population has in fact increased over this period indicates that the effect of migration is still a more important determinant. On average 500 new dwellings are built in Pembrokeshire each year, and the majority of these comprise small scale and single plot developments. Large scale developments i.e. in excess of 100 units are rare, with the largest single site development in recent years being the Crowhill development at Haverfordwest, which was developed primarily to house families of service personnel based at Brawdy. The most significant single population change to affect the county was the County boundary amendments that came into effect in April 2003, and which saw areas of St Dogmaels and Clunderwen, being transferred from Ceredigion and Carmarthen respectively. These changes have resulted in an additional 1230 residents becoming part of Pembrokeshire, high proportions of whom are Welsh speakers. In 1991 two thirds of residents in Clunderwen and St Dogmaels spoke Welsh, which was well in excess of the overall Pembrokeshire figure of 18.3%. [Refer to map in Appendix 1]. 5 MAIN AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE WELSH EDUCATION SCHEME • To ensure that Welsh medium or bilingual education is available to all children whose parents/guardians wish them to receive their education through the medium of Welsh or bilingually, and this within a reasonable travelling distance from the children's homes. • To ensure a developing continuum from Welsh medium/bilingual primary education through to Welsh medium/bilingual secondary education. Pupils who have received their primary education through the medium of Welsh will be able to attend a Welsh medium/bilingual secondary school; to promote a linguistic continuum from KS4 onwards through to their lifelong learning career for pupils and students within the County. • To ensure that Welsh is taught as a first and/or second language on the timetable of all the County's schools, in accordance with the National Curriculum's statutory requirements for all key stages; to ensure that all pupils are given the opportunity to sit an externally accredited examination in Welsh by the end of KS4. • To ensure that children and young people with special educational needs receive linguistic equality of opportunity in terms of Welsh medium education, during the entire Statementing process, and this in line with the SEN Code of Practice for Wales. • To ensure that all pupils attending a designated Welsh medium/bilingual school are able to speak, read and write Welsh fluently by the end of KS2; • To work in partnership with all schools in order to improve the standard of Welsh as a first and second language. All the County’s schools will receive advice and support from the Welsh adviser and the school support services. Further support will be provided by a Welsh literacy advisory teacher, development officers for Welsh Second Language and the Athrawon Bro who visit and monitor schools’ language standards on behalf of the Authority; • To run and promote the existing In Service Training Programme that supports the development of Welsh as a first and second language, and to provide opportunities for pupils to improve their knowledge and understanding of the cultural, economic, environmental, historical and linguistic ethos/characteristics of Wales via the Cwricwlwm Cymreig; • To ensure that new pupils to the schools in the catchment area of Ysgol Bro Gwaun and the Preseli that are non-Welsh speaking inmigrants in the Fishguard and Preseli areas are able to make full use of the two Welsh Language Centres in order that they, after having followed an intensive Welsh language course, can integrate naturally into their school and community. • To promote the Authority’s development of pupils' Welsh language skills by means of specific activities and projects for example: - accelerated literacy programmes - transition projects - visits by authors and writing squads - promotion of Urdd and Books Council activities - promotion of residential courses - conferences for Year 12 and 13 students 6. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE AUTHORITY'S WELSH LANGUAGE POLICY 6.1 In 1989, in accordance with Dyfed Education Authority's policy, the county's primary schools were categorised as A, B or C schools, based on the linguistic situation and a new primary language policy was introduced. A language policy for the secondary sector was developed in 1993. In May 1996 Pembrokeshire County Council's Education Committee accepted the primary language plan adopted by Dyfed. 6.2 Welsh was the main medium of education in the primary Welsh units and category A schools. The policy established equal status for both Welsh and English in category B schools and in category C schools Welsh was taught to pupils as a second language. 6.3 During the spring term 2003 a document expanding on the implementation of the current language policy for both primary and secondary sectors evolved. The aim of the policy for Category A schools is to enable them to facilitate complete bilingualism, by fostering well-balanced bilingual pupils who are able to understand and use both languages for listening, speaking and writing and to understand the curriculum presented in both languages and to enable them to function in either language. The aim of the county policy for Category B schools and units it to move pupils along a linguistic continuum, transferring gradually from the programme of study for Welsh Second Language to the Welsh programme of study. The aim of the policy for Category C schools is to enable them to create a positive attitude towards the Welsh language, and to establish Welsh as an integral part of the life and work of the school in order to satisfy the requirements of the National Curriculum programme of study for Welsh Second Language. [Language Policy : Appendix 5 ] 7. GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF WELSH MEDIUM/BILINGUAL EDUCATION 7.1 Welsh Medium primary education in South Pembrokeshire OPENING DATE SCHOOL / UNIT LOCATION SIZE JANUARY 2003 1982 Welsh Stream Narberth Primary School 128 1968 Infant Unit Prendergast Infant School 1972 Junior Unit Prendergast Junior School 1984 Infant Unit Tenby Infant School 22.5 1988 Junior Unit Tenby Junior School 32 1982 Infant Unit Golden Manor School 1986 Junior Unit Grove Junior School 1995 Ysgol Glan Cleddau Haverfordwest See Ysgol Glan Cleddau 203.5 See Gelli Aur Established following closure of Welsh Units at Prendergast Infant and Junior Schools 2003 7.2 Golden Grove School (Unit) 203.5 Amalgamation of the Infant and Junior School in Pembroke 61 Category A and B Schools in North Pembrokeshire • No changes in the categorisation of Pembrokeshire schools have taken place since their establishment. • The Category A schools succeed in implementing the Authority's language policy. Welsh is the main medium of education at KS1 and pupils are assessed in Welsh. At KS2 foundation subjects are mainly taught through the medium of Welsh and Mathematics and Science mainly through the medium of English. The guidelines for implementing the language policy moves to teach both core subjects bilingually. • Due to the Category A schools' firm interpretation of the Authority's language policy, the number of pupils leaving the primary sector able to communicate confidently in both Welsh and English has increased. Progress has been demonstrated in the results of the KS2 Welsh SATs results since 1996, with an increased percentage achieving level 4+. 7.3 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 49% 57% 61% 63% 64% 72% 75% 79% • Due to the success of those schools to uphold standards in the Welsh language, there hasn’t been a demand for a designated Welsh medium school in the Fishguard and Preseli areas. The Authority will monitor the standards of Welsh in those schools carefully over the next few years in order to assess the requirement in the future. • Although the long term aim of the policy for Category B schools is to enable pupils to become bilingual before leaving the primary sector rarely did pupils in these schools achieve the aim of bilingualism. It is Welsh as a second language therefore that is taught in most of the Category B schools. One Category B school does succeed in achieving the aim with all pupils apart from latecomers. The guidelines for implementing the language policy proposes that more category B schools will achieve this. • Internal organisation is a matter for individual schools but the schools which have two streams – Category A and B are usually taught in separate classes, unless they are set for specific subjects. Yet, in one school many pupils in the B stream sit the Welsh SATs test. The numbers in the B stream in the other three schools have decreased substantially. They are therefore moving along the linguistic continuum. Number of pupils receiving Welsh medium education since 1996 The following statistics reflect the increase in the number of pupils receiving Welsh medium education since 1996 in the primary sector: 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 *1201 1650 1686 1721 1701 1963.5 1795 1804.5 11.2% 15.2% 15.3% 15.6% 15.5% 17.9% 16.6% 16.8% * 1996 figure shows pupils at Category A schools only – no data is available for units for 1996. 7.4 Development of Welsh medium and bilingual early years education and community education. • The number of Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin groups has grown with an increase in the provision for three year old pupils in Welsh medium and bilingual schools [See Section 11]. • There has been a significant increase in both the number of courses provided and in the number of students attending Welsh courses for adults. 7.5 Development in the primary sector • The Authority has a range of policies relating to Educational rationalisation. These are incorporated in the Schools Organisation Plan; this document also includes principles relating to the development of the Education services and to the process of rationalisation. The Strategic Plan for Schools indicates the relevant policies and principles to the organisation of Education Services in the county (Section D of the Plan); note also the conclusions derived from these policies and current demographic developments (Section C of the Plan). Among the principles and conclusions are the following: • - a range of approaches should be considered and adopted to suit local need; - the most effective use of resources should be made to enhance curricular provision and ensure continuity and progression; - Education Capital Programme should be used to support change. Eight small Category A and B schools have been closed since 1996 and two new schools have opened. This rationalisation programme has enabled investment in the buildings at four other schools to take place. 1998 - Barham (Category A) 1999 - St. Davids CP & VA closed (Category B) and Ysgol Bro Dewi was established in their place (Category B) 2000 - Manordeifi, Newchapel closed with investment in the school building in Cilgerran (Category A) 2000 - Tegryn and Bwlchygroes closed, establishing Ysgol Clydau (Category A) - Penffordd CP closed with investment in a new building in Maenclochog (Category A) 2002 - Ysgol Dinas closed and pupils moved to Ysgol Bro Ingli (Category A) 2002 - Investment in improving accommodation in Ysgol Eglwyswrw (Category A) 2003 - Moylegrove school with substantial investment in a new building in St. Dogmaels (Category A/B) Statutory proposals have been issued for the closure of three schools in the Crymych area and the establishment of one new school in Crymych, for the closure of Fishguard Infants and Juniors and the establishment of an all through primary school in their place, and for the closure of Tredafydd and Letterston VC Schools and the establishment of a new VC school in Letterston. The category of these schools will remain the same. 7.6 Secondary Education Preseli was opened as a designated bilingual school in September 1991. At that time there were 500 pupils at the school. By January 2003 the number was 793 and 878 by September 2003 with 128 students in Years 12 and 13. 8. THE DEVELOPMENT OF WELSH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE 8.1 Welsh Second Language in the Primary Sector • From 1989 on, substantial investments were made in the development of second language Welsh primary education in South Pembrokeshire. Welsh language development officers were appointed (with financial support from the Welsh Office and later from the Welsh Language Board) and a Welsh support teacher service was developed. A developmental programme of training was drawn up which was appropriate to the situation and the Welsh language was developed as a second language in schools where teachers did not speak the language. South Pembrokeshire primary schools were allowed to delay teaching Welsh as a second language in the National Curriculum until September 1992. • In a language survey undertaken in 1987 the following statistical evidence of the linguistic skills of primary school teachers in south Pembrokeshire became available. i) ii) iii) 75% unable to speak Welsh 13% had a limited knowledge of the language 12% were fluent Welsh speakers • By 1996 every pupil in the County's English medium schools was able to follow the National curriculum programme of study for Welsh Second Language. To achieve this a range of in-service training was provided. for non-Welsh speaking teachers in the south of the county to enable them to teach Welsh as a second language. Initially, teachers of reception and KS1 classes received training, gradually progressing to train KS2 teachers. • A system of 'athrawon bro' was established based on the catchment areas of the Secondary Schools. Initially these were permanent posts with the management of the funding held centrally. With the introduction of Local Management of Schools (LMS) the system changed. The funding was delegated to schools to enable them to purchase the Athrawon Bro Service if they wished to do so, as a service level agreement. [See Section 15] • Teachers are expected to deliver Welsh in their classes using the resources and the methodology provided on the courses. All teachers are encouraged to work side by side with the athrawon bro where available. Intense training is provided on the use of incidental language in order to promote the use of Welsh as a medium of teaching and as an incidental language in all aspects of the life of the school. 8.2 Welsh Second Language in the Secondary Sector • The introduction of Welsh Second Language in the National Curriculum was postponed in two South Pembrokeshire schools until 1992 and in another three until September 1994. Since then, Welsh Second Language has been taught in each secondary school with the exception of Ysgol y Preseli. • It was a compulsory subject at KS3 but optional at KS4, with the exception of two schools, Fishguard and St. David's where it was compulsory at KS4 also. Both Ysgol Bro Gwaun and Ysgol Dewi Sant continue to offer the full course at KS4 and pupils in the other secondary schools choose between the full or short GCSE course. • Since September 1999 all pupils have been given the opportunity to sit an external examination in Welsh as a second language by the end of Key Stage 4, and this policy continues to be implemented in accordance with Welsh legislation on education. • The number succeeding in achieving a full GCSE qualification in Welsh Second Language has decreased since 1999 in the schools in the south of the county but the number achieving a qualification has increased. Year 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 • Number of Passes at GCSE 284 311 312 308 393 630 656 Two schools offer the GNVQ course. • Every Secondary School except Preseli offers the AS and A level Welsh Second Language courses and the numbers are as follows: SECONDARY SCHOOLS NO. OF PUPILS 2000 2001 2002 2003 Ysgol Bro Gwaun 7 3 5 9 Ysgol Dewi Sant 4 7 4 6 The Greenhill School - - 3 9 Pembroke School 11 6 4 6 Tasker Milward VC School - 1 - 5 Sir Thomas Picton School 3 16 9 13 Milford Haven School 2 6 8 11 The numbers are a combination of the AS and A level students. 9. SCHOOL DEFINITIONS AND LINGUISTIC CATEGORIES 9.1 Primary Schools i) Designated Welsh Medium School, streams, units and category A schools. (the schools in the recognised traditional Welsh areas.) Welsh is the main medium of life and work in the Early years and at Key Stage 1 in order to establish a sound foundation for pupils in the language. Welsh is also the main medium of life and work in the junior phase and English is introduced as pupils transfer from the infant to the junior phase. ii) Category B schools in less Welsh areas and urban schools Welsh is used as a medium of life and work in the Early Years and KS1. This provides a sound foundation to continue to learn the language in KS2 so that equal status is given to both Welsh and English within the life and work of the school. iii) Category C schools English medium schools in mid and south Pembrokeshire in which Welsh is taught as a second language iv) Category A/B and A/C schools In these schools, two streams run side by side. 9.1.2 Secondary Schools Welsh is a compulsory subject in all of the eight secondary schools in the County since 1999. The present provision is as follows: i. ii. iii. iv. Welsh as first language only and most of the curriculum through the medium of Welsh; Welsh as second language and as first language, plus some subjects through the medium of Welsh; Welsh as second language and as first language; Welsh as second language only. No changes have been made in the categorisation of secondary schools within the County since 1996. 9.2 Percentage of pupils receiving primary Welsh and bilingual education Below is the percentage of pupils who have received Welsh and bilingual primary education and the percentage being taught through the medium of Welsh in the secondary sector in Year 7 since 2000. 2000 2001 2002 2003 Primary Secondary Primary Secondary Primary Secondary Primary Secondary 26.5% 10.60% 26.7% 9.8% 27% 14.16% 27.3% 12.98% Noted below is the number of pupils per subject who sat their examinations through the medium of Welsh at Ysgol y Preseli and Ysgol Bro Gwaun since 2000. 2000 P BG Subject 2001 P BG 2002 P BG 2003 P BG History 23 - 28 - 36 3 42 3 Geography 41 3 52 - 47 - 52 - Religious Education 29 6 22 6 29 6 25 6 Music 4 - 6 - 8 - 18 - Art 32 - 28 - 51 - 47 - Design and Technology 18 - 20 - 19 - 29 - Drama 8 8 - 15 - French 23 20 - 23 - 32 - Spanish/German 1 9 - - - 20 - Food Technology 14 22 - 11 - 11 - - - 10. CURRENT PROVISION 10.1 Summary of the provision SCHOOLS CATEGORY Nursery A B C A B C A/B A/C A B C A/B A/C A B C A/B A/C Bilingual Welsh stream KS3 and KS4, Welsh stream KS3, English Welsh English A B C A/B A/C Welsh English Welsh English Infant Junior Primary Secondary Special Schools Primary SEN Units Secondary SEN Units Pupil Referral Unit Primary and Secondary 10.2 NUMBER OF SCHOOLS 0 0 0 0 0 8 1 1 0 0 6 1 1 17 6 33 2 2 1 1 1 5 0 1 0 0 6 1 1 0 1 0 1 Cross-County Collaboration Parents may express a preference for any school, and an admission authority is required to meet that preference if the school requested has the room and resources available to accommodate the pupil. In some instances parental preference is expressed on language grounds and some cross boundary admissions take place on this basis. In the secondary sector, pupils from the catchment area of Ysgol y Preseli in north-east Pembrokeshire may be admitted to schools in Ceredigion or Carmarthenshire with the provision of free transport by Pembrokeshire County Council where that is their nearest English medium secondary school. Some pupils from Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire currently attend Ysgol y Preseli. However, it is anticipated that demand for places at Ysgol y Preseli for out of county pupils will diminish as a result of the development of Welsh medium teaching, particularly in the Cardigan area, and of the scarcity of places at Ysgol y Preseli for pupils who do not fulfil the admission criteria. In the primary sector, few cross boundary admissions take place and most of those that do are for geographic rather than linguistic reasons. This may be attributed in part to the adequacy of provision in the required language medium in the pupils’ own areas and to the support provided by Pembrokeshire Language centres to non-Welsh speakers moving into areas where Welsh is the main medium of teaching. 11. WELSH MEDIUM AND BILINGUAL NURSERY EDUCATION 11.1 Access to pre-school education • Children across Pembrokeshire are allowed to enter full-time education the term after their fourth birthday and in many areas three year old children are able to access part-time education five days per week. • In those settings run by the Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin (MYM) for three year olds, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, pupils attend for a minimum of 10 hours per week. These are groups eligible to apply for funding as they have achieved the MYM Quality Assurance Standards and are located in an area where there is no nursery provision available in the maintained sector. There are 4 MYM groups that have 3 year old education funding from WAG through the Pembrokeshire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership:Croesgoch Eglwyswrw Hermon Narberth - 12 places 15 places 12 places 14 places • Transport is not provided for pupils below the statutory age but at the discretion of the County Council, children attending early years settings within the maintained sector full-time may travel on appropriate school transport if there are available seats. • The following MYM nursery groups opened during the last three years:Fishguard Mathry Hayscastle St. Davids - Ti a Fi (Mother and Toddler) and Cylch Meithrin Ti a Fi Ti a Fi Ti a Fi Letterston 11.2 11.3 - Ti a Fi Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership • Following the publication of the Early Years Development Plan for Pembrokeshire in 1998, the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership was established. The Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin is a member of that Partnership. The MYM co-ordinator for Pembrokeshire also works in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire and a development officer works in Pembrokeshire for 35 hours per week. Due to the linguistic nature of the county, Wales PPA and MYM, concentrate their efforts in the relevant areas. The Partnership seeks to continue to develop sensitive responses to these differing cultural needs, reflecting parents' and children's preferences and local traditions. Parental requests for Welsh-medium education receive full consideration and every effort is made to meet the demand. • A 'mobile' Ti a Fi leader has been appointed for the Fishguard area by means of a grant from the Welsh Language Board with a similar post in south Pembrokeshire. • The intention is to establish a Ti a Fi group in Goodwick. There is no MYM group in Tenby to support the growth of the Welsh unit and only a combined Cylch and Ti a Fi group in Pembroke, but numbers are growing. Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin Groups LOCATION NURSERY GROUP REGISTERE D TO TAKE ON 2003 REGISTER CYLCH TI A FI Blaenffos 9 9 Bwlchygroes 18 11 Cilgerran 24 23 Croesgoch * 24 24 Crymych 14 14 Eglwyswrw * 24 24 Fishguard 20 12 Haverfordwest 24 23 Hayscastle - - Hermon * 18 15 Letterston - - Llandissilio 24 18 Maenclochog 12 12 Closed at present – to be reopened Mathry 16 15 Moylegrove - - To close Autumn 2003 Narberth * 30 23 Newport 16 16 Pembroke 24 8 Puncheston 24 11 St Davids - - St Dogmaels 10 8 * Funded by WAG through EYDCP 11.4 Early Years Provision in schools Listed below are the schools which provide full and part-time provision for early years pupils in category A and B schools and the number of pupils. Full and Part-time provision for early years pupils in Category A, Ysgol Glan Cleddau and Welsh units All these pupils progress to Primary Welsh medium education Jan 2000 Jan 2001 Jan 2002 Jan 2003 Brynconin 20 28 21 26 Blaenffos 3 4 3 6 Bro Ingli 12 23 24 25 Cilgerran 17 20 16 25 Clydau 7 8 9 9 Crymych 14 15 12 14 Eglwyswrw 17 13 21 16 Glan Cleddau 75 69 72 72 Glandwr 7 4 1 7 Hermon 6 10 5 9 Letterston 27 24 21 13 Llanychllwydog 3 5 8 7 Maenclochog 17 12 12 12 Moylegrove 4 9 8 10 Puncheston 9 10 6 10 Tredafydd 10 16 19 15 Wolfscastle 6 2 6 9 Units in the South of the County Gelli Aur 22 Narberth 22 Tenby Infants 13 Full and Part-time provision for early years pupils in Category B The provision in these schools vary (See Section 12.1) Jan 2000 Jan 2001 Jan 2002 Jan 2003 Hayscastle 2 5 6 3 Croesgoch 15 16 18 25 Mathry 8 10 9 11 Ysgol Bro Dewi 36 52 49 38 Full and Part-time provision for early years pupils in Category A/B The provision in these schools vary* (See section 12.1) Jan 2000 Jan 2001 Jan 2002 Jan 2003 St Dogmaels 15 20 19 18 Fishguard Inf 68 66 77 76 Goodwick 37 40 35 39 * By now, the majority of pupils in the A/B schools listed above continue with Welsh medium education at least at KS1 11.5 11.6 11.7 Availability of provision • Early Years Welsh medium education is available within the local communities in the north of the county and in the towns in the south which have a Welsh unit, stream or school. • There is appropriate MYM provision in most areas in the north of the county. Both Eglwyswrw and Crymych groups are full at present. • The provision in Haverfordwest, Narberth, Tenby and Pembroke is meeting the present demand but there is a problem in recruiting Welsh speaking staff which is hindering development particularly in the Tenby area. Training • A range of training courses are provided by the Partnership, some available through the medium of Welsh, e.g. SEN Code of Practice. Developing language through play, Story Sacks, Class Moves, Hearing Impaired. • MYM provides training for appropriate groups aiming for the Quality Assurance Standard which are later assessed by MYM inspectors. Six groups have achieved this award and another three groups will be assessed Autumn 2003. This Quality Assurance Standard is renewed every three years. Two groups are to be inspected by Estyn in the Autumn 2003. • MYM also provides training for group leaders on materials published by the movement such as the Mathematics Pack. SEN • There is a Joint Referral Scheme with a Welsh co-ordinator who works with the SEN children's 'Helping Hands'. Social Care and Housing primarily fund this referral scheme but with Education input. 'Sure Start' funds some children, mainly those with behaviour problems within 'Sure Start' areas. Welsh Assembly Government funding for 3 year old education is also now supporting some SEN pupils in Cylch Meithrin groups. • The referral scheme is run jointly by MYM and Wales PPA and they have two co-ordinators, one being Welsh speaking. They visit groups and advise both parents and staff on any issues pertaining to educational special needs. • At present there is no wraparound/continuous care provided bilingually within the county, but such a provision is planned to begin in St Dogmael's in Autumn 2003. Discussions are presently underway in another school and the intention is to expand provision. • 11.8 An Integrated Children’s Centre is planned to be built in Crymych as a part of the WAG NOF initiative and should be operational by 2005. Early Years Strategy • In 2000 the 'Firm Foundations' file was published bilingually by the Authority. The file provides guidance on all aspects of Early Years provision. It also includes a section on Managing Early Years Units and mixed ages situations, including bilingual settings. A statement on the Welsh language notes the necessity for Early Years Education providers in Maintained schools to adhere to the County Council's Welsh Education Scheme. • The Partnership is committed to supporting the County Council's Welsh Language Scheme and Welsh Education Scheme. The sections on Equal Opportunities, Recruitment and Training emphasise the Welsh dimension. • A bilingual copy of the Childcare Strategy can be obtained from: EYDCP Co-ordinator Unit 9 Merlin's Court Winch Lane Haverfordwest SA61 1SB 12. PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND PRIMARY EDUCATION 12.1 A summary of primary education provision (2003) SCHOOL (Number of pupils – January 2003) KS1 KS2 • • • Designated Welsh medium school Ysgol Glan Cleddau [203.5] Welsh medium immersion teaching • Welsh First Language Maths and Science mainly through the medium of English. The foundation subjects through the medium of Welsh. Category A – 16 schools Preseli Area Blaenffos Brynconin Cilgerran Clydau Crymych Eglwyswrw Glandwr Hermon Maenclochog [28] [90.5] [105] [60] [93] [123] [42] [52] [99] • Welsh medium immersion teaching • • • Welsh First Language Maths and Science mainly through the medium of English The foundation subjects mainly through the medium of Welsh. Fishguard Area Bro Ingli [98] Letterston [71] Llanychllwydog [24.5] Puncheston [57] Tredafydd [59] Wolfscastle [35] Category B – 6 schools Croesgoch [125] • • • • • Mathry [54] • • Solva Hayscastle [69] [25] • • Bilingual teaching Art, Music and PE mainly through the medium of Welsh Welsh literacy Maths and Science taught in the language of the home. Units of work in the humanities are taught through the medium of Welsh. • The foundation subjects are taught mainly through the medium of Welsh. Core subjects assessed in the language of the home • Welsh Second Language Units of the foundation • • • • • Welsh First Language and as a Second Language The same foundation subjects continue to be taught through the medium of Welsh Welsh Second Language Welsh is the main incidental language Units of foundation subjects taught through the medium of Welsh Welsh Second Language An improvers group is held at Hayscastle subjects taught through the medium of Welsh Bro Dewi • Welsh Second Language • Welsh Second Language Two streams • Two streams • Welsh Second Language • Welsh Second Language • Two streams with the A stream providing Welsh medium immersion teaching. • Two streams with all subjects with the exception of English taught predominantly through the medium of Welsh. [141] • Welsh Second Language Fishguard Catholic [119] • Welsh Second Language Category A/B - 4 • Fishguard Infants [117] Fishguard Juniors [158] St. Dogmaels [104.5] Goodwick [133.5] Category C - 47 Category A/C - 4 Narberth Tenby Infants [215.5] Tenby Juniors [298] Gelli Aur • [227] [293] The Curriculum Cymreig All schools place emphasis on the Curriculum Cymreig. The courses provided for those teaching Welsh Second Language in the south include training and resources to deliver the curriculum Cymreig. A range of courses on the Curriculum Cymreig is provided across the subject areas in the annual Inset programme. 12.2 Progression • The data for KS2 statutory tests, which include the levels for the three attainment targets in Welsh, is transferred from the junior to the secondary sector in a centrally provided electronic form. • The majority of pupils in Welsh medium junior schools continue to follow the National Curriculum programme for Welsh in the secondary sector in the following schools: Bro Gwaun, Dewi Sant, Preseli and Sir Thomas Picton. A minority regress due to parental preference and follow the Welsh second language programme but schools are encouraged to ensure progression. Only Welsh as a second language is offered in the remainder of the schools in the south of the county. 12.3 • Welsh medium education is continued according to the provision available in the secondary school. Up until now, the numbers opting to study some subjects through the medium of Welsh at Bro Gwaun have been small, but there are plans to increase these during the lifetime of the scheme. • The two language centres promote the junior-secondary link in the north of the county by holding transition and improvement courses. Last year, a transition pack was prepared for use in the junior sector with Year 6 pupils in order to ensure the inclusion of one piece of work in the pupils’ work books at the beginning of Year 7. The aim of this is that both pupils and teachers can ensure that the standard achieved in the primary sector is built upon. Teachers at the language centres are primarily responsible for administrating the transition work in the Bro Gwaun and Preseli districts. • Teachers in the primary and secondary sectors, via the Family of Schools strategy, visit one another’s schools in order to view best practice and to promote better progression and continuity. • From time to time, joint training in Welsh is provided for the primary and secondary sectors. One of the responsibilities of the Welsh Advisory Teacher is to promote progression. • A Welsh second language transition file for KS2 - KS3 has been prepared for schools in the south of Pembrokeshire. The main aim of the file is to revise language skills learned in the primary sector and to set a foundation for planning in the secondary school. The file includes oral and reading activities and a passport of written work. A Welsh second language assessment form is sent to every Category C junior school which includes levels for oral, reading and written work and members of the peripatetic Welsh language team visit the schools to moderate the levels. • By Spring 2004 a transition pack will have been completed in order to ensure better progression between KS1 and KS2. Assessment Designated Welsh school, streams and units in South Pembrokeshire and category A schools • The Baseline assessment is administered in the language of the home. If a pupil comes from a Welsh speaking home, language skills are assessed in Welsh. If a pupil comes from a non-Welsh speaking home, language skills are assessed in both languages. • As a result of immersion teaching, KS1 pupils are assessed in Welsh. • At the end of KS2, pupils are assessed in both Welsh and English. Mathematics and Science are taught through the medium of Welsh in the Welsh Units and through the medium of English in the majority of other schools. The aim is to increase the number who sit one or both of these core subjects through the medium of Welsh. Category B Schools • The Baseline assessment is administered in the language of the home. • Pupils are assessed at KS1 in the language of the home. • Pupils in one Category B school and in a school with a 'B' stream sit the Welsh SATs at KS2 [See targets]. Category C Schools • 12.4 12.5 As yet, no statutory tests for Welsh Second Language exist. By means of the 'Athrawon Bro' Service, schools are encouraged to assess pupils, giving a level for each attainment target. These levels are moderated and the results forwarded to the Welsh department in the Secondary Schools. Statutory Tests • Each pupil in the Welsh Medium schools and units sit the Welsh SATs at the end of KS2. • At present all pupils in the Welsh Medium schools, except those in the units in the south of the county, sit the mathematics and science tests through the medium of English. Ysgol Glan Cleddau have decided to change to assess both core subjects through the medium of Welsh by 2006 and the latest guidelines on implementation of the language policy encourages Category A schools to move gradually towards teaching both subjects bilingually, enabling pupils to choose the language of assessment. Supplementary Services Two language centres for late comers serve the Bro Gwaun and Preseli areas. [See section 16]. 12.6 Provision of School Places The Education Service aims to provide Welsh medium and bilingual education for pupils within their communities in the north of the county. In the mid and south Welsh medium education is provided within three of the county’s main towns. 12.6 PROVISION OF PLACES Primary spare places based on full time pupils only. JANUARY 2000 SCHOOL ` CATEGORY A SCHOOLS Blaenffos Bro Ingli Brynconin Bwlchygroes Casblaidd (Wolfcastle) Casmael (Puncheston) Cilgerran Clydau Crymych Dinas Eglwyswrw Glan Cleddau Glandwr Hermon Llanychllwydog Maenclochog Manordeifi (New Chapel) Tegryn Tredafydd Treletert (Letterston) Trewyddel (Moylegrove) (Closed July 03) Total Category A Standard Number Spare Places 10 16 15 66 15 8 6 23 5 -9 13 56 15 -1 New School 9/00 12 -11 9 39 17 -10 23 47 7 -7 8 2 6 -11 13 8 5 24 9 39 7 13 20 6 4 -6 227 300 JANUARY 2001 Standard Number Spare Places 10 18 15 66 15 4 Closed 8/00 5 -7 13 23 14 10 10 8 12 0 9 42 17 -7 23 28 7 -3 8 -2 6 -9 13 2 Closed 8/00 Closed 8/00 7 -5 20 21 4 -10 216 192 JANUARY 2002 JANUARY 2003 Standard Number Spare Places Standard Number Spare Places 10 15 15 22 39 -5 10 15 15 24 20 4 5 13 15 10 12 9 17 23 7 8 6 13 -5 20 17 -1 12 49 20 15 12 -2 -9 -1 5 13 15 10 12 9 17 23 7 8 6 13 -5 15 10 -5 16 Closed 22 8 7 -6 -4 21 7 20 4 209 -10 33 -8 198 7 20 4 209 -20 47 -3 151 JANUARY 2000 SCHOOL JANUARY 2001 JANUARY 2002 JANUARY 2003 Standard Number Spare Places Standard Number Spare Places Standard Number Spare Places Standard Number Spare Places 38 48 18 26 9 41 12 40 38 48 18 26 15 53 17 17 38 48 18 26 17 26 22 17 38 44 18 26 19 25 17 23 CATEGORY A/B SCHOOLS Babanod Abergwaun (Fishguard Infants) Iau Abergwaun (Fishguard Juniors) Llandudoch (St. Dogmaels) Wdig (Goodwick) Total Category A/B SCHOOL 130 102 JANUARY 2000 130 102 JANUARY 2001 Standard Number Spare Places Standard Number Spare Places 35 70 50 60 90 8 20 21 26 40 35 70 50 60 90 44 9 28 5 19 130 82 JANUARY 2002 Standard Number Spare Places 126 84 JANUARY 2003 Standard Number Spare Places 35 70 50 21 -20 22 CATEGORY A/C SCHOOLS Arberth (Narberth) Iau Dinbych-y-pysgod (Tenby Juniors) Babanod Dinbych-y-pysgod (Tenby Infants) Babanod Golden Manor (Golden Manor Infants) Iau Grove (Grove Junior) Gelliaur (Golden Grove) Total Category A/C SCHOOL 305 115 JANUARY 2000 Standard Number Spare Places 305 105 JANUARY 2001 35 39 70 12 50 2 60 10 90 31 New School 9/03 305 94 JANUARY 2002 Closed Closed 50 36 205 59 JANUARY 2003 Standard Number Spare Places Standard Number Spare Places Standard Number Spare Places 29 78 16 1 18 12 14 18 6 -21 11 -2 Closed 8/99 Closed 8/99 29 16 18 14 6 11 14 -2 14 16 -27 -1 29 16 18 14 6 11 14 -11 19 16 -29 -4 29 16 18 14 6 11 15 -21 15 27 -34 -8 94 94 14 94 5 94 -6 CATEGORY B SCHOOLS Bro Dewi Croesgoch Catholig Abergwaun (Fishguard RC) Castellhaidd (Hayscastle) Mathri (Mathry) Solfach (Solva) Tyddewi YG (St David’s VA) Tyddewi G Rh (St David’s VC) Total Category B 86 12.7 Improvements to buildings Improvements have been made in the following primary Welsh medium schools: - Additional classrooms in Cilgerran, Clydau, Croesgoch and Eglwyswrw New building in Maenclochog and St. Dogmael's Two classrooms in Ysgol Glan Cleddau summer 2003 Extension to Golden Grove by September 2004 13. SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND SECONDARY EDUCATION 13.1 The current situation (2003) 13.1.1 A summary of the linguistic nature of the eight secondary schools School KS3 KS4 KS5 Ysgol y Preseli All subjects through the medium of Welsh except English, mathematics and science All subjects through the medium of Welsh except English, mathematics and science and GCSE course physical education All subjects through the medium of Welsh except economics, English, mathematics, science, P.E. and information technology Ysgol Bro Gwaun History, music geography, and R.E. are available through the medium of Welsh, as well as Welsh as a first and second language History, music geography, and R.E. are available through the medium of Welsh, as well as Welsh, Welsh literature and Welsh second language Welsh first and second langauge Sir Thomas Picton Geography, music and R.E. are available through the medium of Welsh (where viable numbers permit) No subjects through the medium of Welsh. Welsh first language, Welsh literature and Welsh second language No subjects are taught through the medium of Welsh. Welsh second language Ysgol Dewi Sant Milford Haven, Greenhill, Pembroke, Tasker Milward 13.1.2 No subjects taught through the medium of Welsh. Welsh and Welsh second language Welsh is taught as a second language. English medium schools Ysgol y Preseli (Crymych) Preseli is a designated bilingual school. Here all pupils follow the Welsh first language programme of study up to GCSE. The school therefore provides continuation of language and medium for pupils from category A schools. The school doesn’t provide full continuation at present for those pupils from A/C units as they teach mathematics and science mainly through the medium of Welsh. In September 2002 a policy to teach 25% of the mathematics course along with units in science to Year 7 through the medium of Welsh was adopted. 13.1.3 Ysgol Bro Gwaun (Fishguard) and Sir Thomas Picton (Haverfordwest) In both schools Welsh is taught as a first and second language and some other subjects may be studied through the medium of Welsh, but to a varying degree according to viable pupil numbers and demand. Ysgol Bro Gwaun • Pupils attending Bro Gwaun all come from primary schools which are Category A, A/B or B. Most pupils study Welsh as second language but all of them take the full GCSE course or GNVQ. • Some pupils opt to study Welsh as first language in KS3 and follow through to GCSE. The school strongly recommends this continuity path but the decision lies with the parents. The number of pupils taking this route has been comparatively small and the provision was therefore expensive. The school, however, is keen to maintain and develop the provision and by September 2003 it is estimated that approximately 30 pupils will be in this group. • Pupils taking Welsh as first language may opt to study four other subjects through the medium of Welsh (Religious education, music, geography and history) - in combination, in KS3 and in KS4. There are groups of up to 15 in this stream. The intention is to develop the opportunities to study subjects through the medium of Welsh. Sir Thomas Picton School 13.1.4 13.1.5 • Most pupils come from Category C primary schools, but some individuals come from Ysgol Glan Cleddau, a designated Welsh medium school, and some Category A and Category B schools. For most pupils, therefore, the provision is Welsh as second language, and at the end of KS3 pupils can choose between the full GCSE course and the short GCSE course. • Pupils from Glan Cleddau and the Category A and B schools may study Welsh as first language in KS3 and follow through to GCSE. [The school strongly recommends this continuity path but the decision lies with the parents.] The number of pupils taking this route is comparatively small at present and the provision is therefore expensive. The school, however, is keen to maintain the provision. • Pupils taking Welsh as first language may opt to study three other subjects through the medium of Welsh (Religious education, music and geography) - in combination, and in KS3 only. Numbers are currently low. The opportunity to sit the Welsh Literature exam is available and a number of pupils sit this exam every year. Ysgol Dewi Sant (St. David's) • Welsh is taught as second language and as first language. The majority of the pupils who attend Ysgol Dewi Sant are from Category B primary schools, some of whom will have sat their KS2 SATs in Welsh. • Continuity is provided for these pupils by offering Welsh as first language through to GCSE. This is a recent development and it gives status to Welsh as a subject. The numbers in these groups are small and the provision is therefore expensive. However, the school is determined to persevere. Welsh Literature is offered at GCSE but no continuity is provided in teaching other areas of the curriculum through the medium of Welsh. • Most pupils therefore, study Welsh as second language, but at the end of KS3, here, all pupils take the full GCSE course. Milford Haven Comprehensive School, Pembroke Comprehensive School (Pembroke), Tasker Milward School (Haverfordwest) and Greenhill School (Tenby) • Welsh is taught as a second language only in the four schools. At the end of KS3, pupils may choose between the full GCSE course or the short GCSE course. Within those courses there is a further choice between Foundation Level and Higher Level. At Milford Haven and Greenhill a GNVQ course in Welsh is available in KS4. There is a Welsh medium primary school (Glan Cleddau) situated on the campus of Tasker Milward School, and a Welsh Unit at Tenby, but only a few individual pupils from these schools attend the local comprehensive schools. It is not practical to provide these pupils with any continuity with regard to Welsh as first language or Welsh medium teaching in any other subject. 13.1.6 13.2 Welsh in extracurricular activities, and the Cwricwlwm Cymreig • In all the secondary schools, Welsh is given prominence in the form of official signs and in various displays. • At Ysgol y Preseli, the administration of the school and all extracurricular activities are conducted in Welsh. This, naturally, provides a totally Welsh ethos. • In the 'second language' schools, there is occasional use of Welsh in morning assembly, and in some activities, such as the school Eisteddfod, Welsh is given a prominent place. • Such use of Welsh increases in relation to the extent to which Welsh is used as a medium of instruction, particularly in Ysgol Bro Gwaun. • The status of the Cwricwlwm Cymreig varies from school to school and from subject to subject. There is an increasing awareness of the significance of the Cwricwlwm Cymreig and there is a need for the Authority to provide more training on this aspect. • Each secondary school participates in Urdd activities. Transition • The aim is to build on the work done in the primary schools and offer Welsh courses at the appropriate level to develop and extend the ability of each pupil to use the language effectively. • At the schools where Welsh is taught as first language and used as the medium of instruction (i.e. where there are Category A and B streams) parents have the option to send their children to a secondary school where there is continuity of that provision. If they choose Ysgol y Preseli, transport is provided. [See section 23] • With regard to Welsh as second language, pupils normally progress to the secondary school in the 'partnership area'. A 'Transition File' is compiled to try to ensure continuity and progress; the Athrawon Bro visit the primary schools to standardise the levels of Welsh as second language, and full information is passed on to the secondary schools. 13.3 School numbers The Bilingual secondary spare places are shown below and the number of vacant places in English medium secondary since 1998 are as follows: Bilingual secondary spare places Jan-99 Standard Spare No. Places 85 97 Jan-00 Standard Spare No. Places 85 24 Jan-01 Standard Spare No. Places 85 -35 Jan-02 Standard Spare No. Places 85 -16 Jan-03 Standard Spare No. Places 85 5 Jan-98 Standard Spare No. Places 157 42 Jan-99 Standard Spare No. Places 157 52 Jan-00 Standard Spare No. Places 157 115 Jan-01 Standard Spare No. Places 157 146 Jan-02 Standard Spare No. Places 157 135 Jan-03 Standard Spare No. Places 157 103 94 53 94 29 94 13 94 -21 94 -44 94 0 The Greenhill School 218 -89 218 -38 218 73 218 103 218 73 218 -68 Pembroke School 340 38 340 -29 340 84 340 -8 340 -23 340 -43 Sir Thomas Picton* 212 50 212 29 212 -162 212 -97 212 -33 212 -31 Milford Haven School 240 72 240 49 240 51 240 71 240 126 240 46 Tasker Milward VC* 42 212 63 212 61 212 67 212 99 212 107 Ysgol y Preseli Jan-98 Standard Spare No. Places 85 147 Other secondary school spare places Ysgol Bro Gwaun Ysgol Gyfun Dewi Sant 212 Total Spare Places 208 155 235 *Note STP and Tasker Milward have agreed admission numbers of 195 261 333 114 13.4 Assessment of progress in bilingual skills In Welsh as first language, the KS2 data, i.e. the results of assessment in the core subjects, is forwarded to the relevant secondary school.Reading tests in both languages are conducted in KS2 and KS3. It is therefore possible to track pupils' progress in both Welsh and English up to the end of KS4. It is a matter for individual schools to assess the pupils' bilingual skills across the curriculum. 13.5 13.6 13.7 GCSEs through the medium of Welsh • At Ysgol y Preseli, all subjects, with the exception of mathematics, science and physical education are examined at GCSE level in Welsh. • At Ysgol Bro Gwaun, four subjects (other than Welsh and Welsh Literature) are examined at GCSE in Welsh. • At Sir Thomas Picton School, Welsh and Welsh Literature are the only subjects examined in Welsh at GCSE level. Late-comers • Late-comers who are non Welsh speaking are not allowed entry to Ysgol y Preseli. • In all other schools where feasible, arrangements are made for latecomers to follow suitable courses in Welsh, at an appropriate level. Those arriving during KS3 will follow an appropriate GCSE or GNVQ course. For those arriving during KS4 every attempt will be made to provide a course which is meaningful and relevant to their particular situation. Availability of places - Welsh medium provision in the local communities • Ysgol y Preseli is the only designated Welsh medium secondary school in the County. The pupil numbers have grown from 500 in 1996 to almost 800 in 2002-3. The Education Authority has responded to the increase in demand by providing additional accommodation and facilities. • In the secondary sector it is not feasible to provide Welsh medium education in the catchment areas of all the secondary schools. For those who desire this provision, therefore, transport is provided to Ysgol y Preseli. • The proposed development plans suggest that for the Bro Gwaun area, a significant increase in the amount of Welsh medium education can be made available within the local community. 13.8 Linguistic continuity between Key Stages The Education Service in Pembrokeshire established a strategy of a family of schools, which is a significant tool to promote transition from primary to secondary. i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. 13.9 The Welsh units in the south of the County, Tenby and Narberth, teach all the curriculum mainly through the medium of Welsh. At Ysgol Glan Cleddau, mathematics and science are currently taught through the medium of English. There are plans for this to change to mainly Welsh medium. In the Category A schools, mathematics and science are generally taught in English. Ysgol y Preseli, therefore, is the school that provides the fullest 'package' of linguistic continuity. With regard to mathematics and science, the school's policy, and the partial shift in its policy on mathematics, will have a direct bearing on the policies adopted by the primary schools and units. Ysgol Bro Gwaun and Sir Thomas Picton School provide the option for continuity in Welsh as first language, and some continuity in Welsh medium teaching, but on a much lesser scale, as already described. The intention is to develop this further in Ysgol Bro Gwaun. With regard to Welsh as a subject, the continuity provided within each school has already been described. For various reasons, as already mentioned, some pupils take options which lead to negative linguistic progression in the transition from KS2 to KS3. Accommodation / building development in Welsh/bilingual medium schools • Ysgol y Preseli has been the Authority’s designated bilingual school since 1996; during this time numbers on roll have risen from 434 to 793 in January 2003. As a consequence, there are 13 mobile classrooms on site and projected pupil numbers are set to rise further in the next three years. The school is also experiencing an acute shortage of specialist teaching rooms and general classroom accommodation. Development projects to address these problems include a new multi-purpose facility which will include two general art rooms, two music rooms, two SEN classrooms, personal care facilities including disabled provision and the conversion of two small and one standard classroom into one science laboratory and one ICT classroom. • A new E-Learning Centre/Library Resource is to be built and will be used by secondary school pupils, as well as providing educational facilities for the community which can be accessed during the daytime. This extension will include two ICT suites, two classrooms, two offices, a public library (subject to bidding process) and personal care facilities. • Ysgol y Preseli and Crymych CP school occupy adjoining sites and already share some facilities. The campus has been developed along ‘community’ or ‘ extended school’ lines and the Authority wishes to give further impetus to this process. The development of shared new buildings will be explored further subject to rationalisation proposals. 13.10 Careers service Careers Wales West provides a career service in partnership with all secondary schools in the county and Pembrokeshire college. Career advice is provided for each school. In addition, each school is allocated a personal adviser to deal with students requiring more support along with employment advisers to help those that leave school at the end of Year 11 to seek employment or a training programme. Three advisers are able to work through the medium of Welsh. The provision is therefore available through the medium of Welsh in Preseli School and available for pupils and parents in other schools on request. The Education Business division of Careers Wales West offers a wide range of programmes that bring together schools, colleges and businesses across West Wales, including Pembrokeshire. These include teacher and lecturer development, progress file, employer liaison, science, engineering and technology, mentoring and motivation, curriculum projects, work experience, business awareness and enterprise education. This range of services is available through the medium of Welsh. 13.11 Pembrokeshire Youth Services There are two strands to the present Pembrokeshire County Council Youth Service. 1. 2. Community based Youth Work. School based Youth Work (CYMORTH - Children and Youth Support Fund) 13.11.1 Community Based Youth Work The Community Based Youth Work is presently characterised by: - open Access Provision (available to all Young People aged 11 – 25 years.) - part time provision in Community Bases:- Community Education Centres, Youth Centres, Community Halls and Ysgol y Preseli. - available during the evenings, term time. Staffed by part time workers open between 2 and 9 hours per week. - following a Pembrokeshire County Council Curriculum which reflects the ethos of Youth Work Curriculum Statement for Wales. 13.11.2 Bilingual and Welsh Medium Opportunities • Welsh medium provision is available in the Aelwyd / Adran in Crymych, Aelwyd Maenclochog, Aelwyd Abergwaun with strong links with Urdd Gobaith Cymru (Welsh League of Youth). Periodic project work takes place in Crymych – e.g. drama, video making, dance, choir. • Pembrokeshire County Council supports this provision through a grants scheme providing funding for Urdd Gobaith Cymru and Pembrokeshire Young Farmers, both having Bilingual and Welsh Medium Clubs. • The service is considering increasing Welsh medium opportunities in the Mid Pembs area in Haverfordwest to compliment Welsh Medium Education in Glan Cleddau School. 13.11.3 School Based Youth Workers (CYMORTH - Children and Youth Support Fund) This provision is presently characterised by: - provision within some primary schools in Community First Areas of Pembroke and Fishguard and within secondary schools in Bro Gwaun, Dewi Sant, Milford Haven, Pembroke, Sir Thomas Picton and Tasker Milward; - targeting Young People (aged 8 – 19 years); - a programme to increase the self-confidence, esteem of Young People to prevent them leaving education, training or employment, which is delivered through one to one referrals, small groups and alternative curriculum subjects. The Bilingual and Welsh Medium opportunities are limited but it is envisaged that Welsh provision will be available in the Crymych area during the next financial year. The Young Peoples Partnership (YPP) is auditing the present Welsh / Bilingual provision in the statutory and voluntary Youth Service through Geraldine Murphy (YPP Co-ordinator). 14 SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (SEN) 14.1 SEN Services • The Authority's policy on Special Educational Needs states that the provision meets the needs of children in a bilingual environment where appropriate. • The Pupil Support Service includes an SEN department that manages the statementing process for SEN pupils. The process leading to a statement of special educational needs including the documentation and appropriate assessments is offered to parents/guardians in Welsh, English or bilingually at the beginning of the statutory assessment process. One member of the SEN Team is bilingual. The Education Psychology Service offers support and advice to schools and parents for children with special educational needs. Currently, two psychologists are bilingual. 14.2 14.3 • A Behaviour Support Team is provided and one of the teachers is Welsh speaking. Pupil Support Officers deal with general welfare issues including attendance. One member of the team is Welsh speaking. The Education Department funds 2.6 of Speech and Language Therapists, one of which is bilingual. In addition there are four speech and language therapy assistants, one of whom is bilingual. • The learning support service is composed of a team of eight advisory teachers. They provide additional support and advice for schools in a range of specialist areas including specific learning difficulty, visual and hearing impairment and speech, language and communication difficulties. Three of these teachers work bilingually. SEN Code of Practice • The Authority aims to fulfil its duties under the 2002 SEN Code of Practice for Wales and pupils with special educational needs whose mother tongue is Welsh are provided for through the medium of Welsh wherever possible. • According to statutory regulations a pupil with SEN should not be excluded from the opportunity to learn Welsh unless he/she has a statement that specifies otherwise. Special school and units • A special school and attached units are available for pupils whose needs will be most appropriately met in these settings whether on a temporary or permanent basis. • The special school caters for those children with severe to profound and multiple learning difficulties. One child from a Welsh speaking home attends the school presently and a Welsh speaking assistant is available. The County also has a number of attached units, with children within the units taught through the medium of Welsh if the school they are attached to is a category A school. • The attached units Category A schools cater for children with severe needs. Those children with low incidents disabilities have access to autistic, language units and Welsh speaking LSAs are appointed when needed. The learning support services are provided where necessary through the medium of Welsh. • 14.4 14.5 The Authority's SEN policy emphasises inclusion and the special educational needs of children will normally be met in mainstream settings. Training for LSAs • A range of courses are provided for SENCOs and Learning Support Assistants (LSA) through the medium of Welsh and bilingually. • A programme of accelerated literacy at KS1 and KS2 has been adapted into Welsh and training provided for LSAs in each Welsh medium school/unit. One person is employed part-time by means of the GEST grant to monitor implementation of the programme and to offer further training within the classroom. • The Popat programme has been adapted into Welsh, a range of courses provided for ten pilot schools and free training is offered to other schools by the advisory Welsh literacy teacher. The delivery of the programme is monitored termly by a team of trainers. • A few second language courses are provided for classroom assistants in category C schools and differentiated resources are provided through the Athrawon Bro Service. Courses are provided for teachers in the Special school and units. • A foundation degree course for Pembrokeshire LSAs is running from September 2003 in co-operation with Trinity College Carmarthen. This will be available in Welsh. SEN Programmes The 3 Advisory Teachers provide assessment, advice and support through the medium of Welsh. They are able to provide information or access to information across all areas of SEN. A Speech and Language Therapy Assistant works with groups of pupils to develop communication skills. She works through the medium of Welsh. 14.6 Number of Statements There are 2.48% of pupils with SEN Statements in bilingual and Welsh medium schools as a percentage of the population of those schools. 14.7 SEN Services 14+ All the services outlined previously in 14.1 provide support for pupils aged 14+ with SEN. As part of the transitional annual review advice is provided by the Careers Service which operates bilingually. 14.8 Agreement with outside Agencies The Education Department working together with the NHS Trust recently appointed a Welsh speaking Speech and Language Therapist. 15 ATHRAWON BRO AND THE LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY ADVISORY SERVICE 15.1 The Athrawon Bro Service • The Service's administrative base, managed by the Language Adviser, is in the Teachers' Centre, Neyland and its structure is as follows: Welsh Literacy Advisory Teacher Head of the Preseli Language Centre Head of the Bro Gwaun Language Centre Two part –time 'athrawon bro' Welsh Second Language 2 Development Officer 7 Athro bro (3 part-time) Welsh • One member of the team works as a Welsh literacy advisory teacher, funded by the GEST grant. Her main responsibilities are to model lessons in the classroom, advise co-ordinators on self-review and planning, provide training and resources, particularly ICT, and promote Books Council competitions, writing squads and visits by authors in the primary sector. She was also mainly responsible for adapting the Accelerated Literacy and Popat Programmes into Welsh and providing training on their implementation. • When arranging advice and training in individual schools underachieving schools are targeted as outlined in the Education Strategic Plan. • The advisory teacher co-operates with the athrawon bro who work in the north of the county. GEST funding is utilised by releasing classroom practitioners from time to time to prepare resources to promote good practice, for example resources on literacy at KS1 and KS2, a pack on raising the standards of writing, two comprehensive files on language across the curriculum, ITC and Interactive White Board resources. A working party was established to provide guidance on developing oracy in the Early Years. These initiatives were in response to termly discussions by the Needs Identification group for Welsh INSET. Welsh Second Language • Two members of the team are employed as Second Language Development Officers. They are responsible for the programme of training non-Welsh speaking teachers to develop language skills and methodology. They also prepare resources in the form of comprehensive schemes of work and resources for the Interactive White Board. Both visit schools to provide support and further training in the classroom and advice on planning and assessment. Both posts are funded partly by the GEST Grant and the Welsh Language Board Grant. 15.2 15.3 • The Category C schools transfer their funding allocated for Welsh Second Language to the service centrally, to organise and run the programme of training. • Two members of the team are responsible for the two language centres for latecomers in the north of the county. • The funding for Athrawon Bro is delegated to schools but over half the schools buy the Athrawon Bro services by means of a service level agreement. Seven teachers are employed to do this work. • Time is allocated for Athrawon Bro to work on specific projects, such as for transition units for KS1 – KS2 and KS2 – KS3 and for the moderation of Year 6 pupils' levels in Category C schools. They are also utilised to target schools to raise standards. • The team liaise with the Urdd to organise residential courses. They have also started to co-operate to hold fun days and writing squads. Use is made of authors, storytellers and a drama company to raise standards of teaching and learning of Welsh Second Language. The Advisory Service • Eight advisers are employed by the Education Services and two of them work mainly through the medium of Welsh, as pastoral advisers for the families of schools in the north of the county. • A team of advisory teachers is employed from GEST including the literacy advisory teacher. Those responsible for mathematics and science in the primary sector and two of the three responsible for ITC are able to provide advice and training through the medium of Welsh. In-Service Training Courses • 56% of the county’s GEST funding is delegated directly to the schools for staff training and development. A system of link advisers along with Needs Identification groups exists across the subject areas which is of great value in preparing a suitable programme of training acceptable to schools. • Courses provided for staff in the Welsh medium primary sector include courses on the early years, baseline assessment, design and technology, information technology, numerous courses on inclusion, consistency in teacher assessment, science, numeracy, geography, personal and social education, history, physical education and dance, school management, health and safety and training for youth and community workers. Welsh medium provision for the Secondary sector is available in IT, European Awareness, aspects of inclusion, religious education, School Management, Health and Safety and training for Youth and Community workers. • 15.4 • A team of advisory teachers funded from GEST provides services through the medium of Welsh in ICT, numeracy, literacy, inclusion, science and sustainability. • The Authority has one bilingual secondary school. Its membership fee for CYDAG as well as two other schools which teach through the medium of Welsh is paid centrally. • A range of courses are provided for classroom assistants through the medium of Welsh. Difficulties in supporting Welsh teaching It is increasingly difficult to ensure suitable staff particularly in the Welsh medium secondary sector. Also, only small numbers apply for posts in the primary sector where Welsh is essential, such as headship posts. The shortage of Welsh speaking supply teachers in both sectors makes it difficult at times to release teachers to attend courses and meetings. 16. LANGUAGE CENTRES 16.1 The influx of non-Welsh speaking families into the County is a common phenomenon. There are two language centres in the north of the county; one is situated in Ysgol y Preseli and the other in Ysgol Bro Gwaun. The main aim of both centres is to give junior latecomers the opportunity to develop in the Welsh language so that they are able to express themselves in the language and to be integrated into both the school and local community. Further, it safeguards the Welsh language as a medium of instruction in the schools of both areas. Transition courses and language development courses are also held at both centres. 16.2 Preseli Language Centre • The Language Centre on the Preseli campus was opened in September 1985. At first, it was financed with the aid of a grant from the Welsh Office but by now it receives a grant from the Welsh Language Board. One full time teacher is employed as the head of the centre along with one part-time peripatetic Welsh language teacher who holds transition and language development courses. • The Centre serves the Preseli family of schools for latecomers, but with regard to its transition role, it serves all schools in the Preseli catchment area. • The centre is governed by a sub-committee of the governing body of Ysgol y Preseli, along with representatives from junior schools within the catchment area. • The centre is permitted to cater for up to 16 pupils. The pattern of provision varies according to need. As a rule, latecomers attend the centre for two days during their first term, followed by a day’s follow-up course during the second term. The head of the centre provides a follow-up programme in the schools and prepares progress reports on each child. If the number of latecomers decreases at any time, the head, along with the language adviser, reviews the arrangements and schools where additional support is required are targeted. • Transition courses and language development courses are held for pupils in years 5 and 6 and schemes of work have been prepared for those courses. • Pupils travel to the centre on school buses which transport pupils to the secondary school. • The developmental trends of latecomers are followed and numbers during the last five years are noted below. 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Number of latecomers 15 12 16 14 14 Numbers attending Ysgol y Preseli 7 5 7 5 1* Numbers who move to other areas 5 3 1 1 2 Numbers attending other secondary schools 3 4 8 2 1 Continuing at junior level - - - 6 10 * Small number in Year 6 16.3 Bro Gwaun Language Centre • The Language Centre was opened at Ysgol Uwchradd Bro Gwaun in 2001 as a part of the Cynllun Bro D.J. Project and it is financed by the Authority with assistance given by the Welsh Language Board Grant. The centre is governed by the education subcommittee of Cynllun Bro D.J. • One full-time teacher is employed as head of the centre which serves the Fishguard family of schools and Croesgoch junior school. • Two days are set aside for the latecomers, with one additional day for a follow-up course. Language development and transitional courses are provided, targeting schools which require additional support. • The head works alongside officers of the Language Initiative to promote the activities of Twf, Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin, the Urdd and Welsh for adults. She also works in close partnership with the Welsh department at the secondary school. 16.4 Transfer from English medium education Only two requests have been made over the last three years to transfer a pupil from English to Welsh medium education. That is not permitted unless the parents are willing for their children to attend a language centre, travelling on secondary school transport if available, and if not, to make their own arrangements. This occurred in one instance. 16.5 Difficulties Since the establishment of the Language Centre at Bro Gwaun, the support for latecomers to the north of the county has been successfully maintained. Transport problems occur from time to time in the Preseli area when there are no places available on the bus for pupils attending the Centre. Every effort is made to make alternative arrangements. 17. INFORMATION FOR PARENTS ABOUT WELSH MEDIUM EDUCATION 17.1 The handbook “Schools in Pembrokeshire- General Information for Parents about Pembrokeshire Schools” is published annually in the autumn term for the following academic year. It is distributed to prospective primary school pupils through schools, local libraries, hospitals, health centres and the County Council’s Admissions Section and is published on the Internet. Copies of the handbook are distributed via primary schools to every year 6 pupil in the autumn term prior to their transfer to secondary school. 17.2 • All secondary schools prepare their own prospectus to distribute to the parents in their 'partnership' schools. In the case of Ysgol y Preseli, the prospectus is distributed to all Category A, A/B and A/C schools in the County. • The present admissions officer is non-Welsh speaking but provides advice on the categories of schools. If any further enquiries are made regarding the provision then they are transferred to the Language Adviser. Enquiries in Welsh about special needs are transferred to the Educational Psychologists section. Arbitration Services Parents of pupils of statutory school age who are dissatisfied with the Authority’s decisions concerning admission applications may appeal to an independent appeal panel. This is constituted in accordance with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 and the National Assembly for Wales School Admission Appeals Code of Practice issued September 1999. Parents have the right to present their case in person and the panel may permit the parent to be accompanied by a friend or representative. An appeal may be conducted through the medium of Welsh using simultaneous translation facilities. Appeals for admission to Ysgol y Preseli were heard in Welsh with simultaneous translation in July 2003. 18. STAFFING AND RECRUITING 18.1 Recruiting bilingual staff 18.2 • All posts in Welsh-medium schools and advisory posts based in the north of the county are designated as posts where fully bilingual skills are essential and a statement to that end is included in the advertisements. • Some posts are advertised as ones where fully bilingual skills are desirable e.g. management posts in school with a Welsh stream or unit. Recruiting difficulties The number of applicants for management posts in Welsh- medium schools are few. This difficulty is also apparent when recruiting for some subjects through the medium of Welsh in the secondary sector. 18.3 Training Language enrichment courses and skill improvement courses for second language teachers are provided for junior school staff in the south of the county through the training programme. At present, the Authority is holding discussions with Trinity College with a view to accrediting the course in order to encourage further development. 18.4 Measures to ensure staff supply By advertising for the ‘Pool’ of newly qualified teachers a supply of Welsh–medium class teachers is enhanced. 19. COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND BASIC SKILLS 19.1 Lifelong Learning • Adult and Community Education (ACE) is an integral part of Education and Community Services and is based in the Lifelong Learning and Development division. It’s strategic aims and objectives are reflected in the Corporate and Business Plans of the County Council and the Education Strategic Plan 2002-2005. • The ACE programme aims to improve the quality of life in the county and to contribute to the area’s economic prosperity by offering a wide range of learning opportunities and activities for adults of all ages and abilities. These programmes take place both during the day and evening at seven full time Community Learning Centres and at a number of part-time community venues, schools and village halls around the county. There are also eight ICT/e-Learning Centres offering a broad range of Information and Communication Technology activities, a Business Unit offering small and medium sized businesses courses suited to their needs, a Mobile Outreach Unit with ten laptops visiting remote rural communities and a laptop loan scheme operational in designated areas. • 19.2 The service includes: - a wide ranging non-certificated programme funded by the local authority which encourages more people to realize that nonvocational learning opportunities are often the first step towards a new career, further or higher education - a franchised agreement to deliver Basic Skills, Welsh for Adults, ICT courses and a number of certificated programmes on behalf of the local F.E. College, Pembrokeshire College - Family Literacy/Numeracy/Learning programmes run in partnership with schools, on behalf of the Basic Skills Agency. The service is also involved in planning the delivery of literacy and numeracy programmes in the workplace. • Some non-certificated courses are arranged through the medium of Welsh in the Preseli area as well as certain modules of certificated ICT courses at Crymych, Narberth and Fishguard ICT Learning Centres • A Welsh medium European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) course developed by Bangor University will be offered from September 2003. Welsh for Adults • Pembrokeshire County Council has a franchised agreement with Pembrokeshire College to deliver Welsh for Adults courses. The Authority is represented on the Dyfed Welsh for Adults Consortium which is responsible for co-ordinating the Welsh for Adults provision locally and to develop a coherent approach in all aspects of the provision. • The aim of the ACE Welsh for Adults programme is to create new Welsh speakers and to enable them to fully integrate into their communities by: - offering an increasing number of countywide learning opportunities from beginner level to advanced courses for fluent speakers - ensuring clear progression routes through quality teaching and guidance and partnership working with other providers - developing appropriate qualifications through the Open College Network - working in partnership with Cymdeithas y Dysgwyr (CYD) and Menter Iaith Sir Benfro in increasing the social opportunities and extra curricular activities whereby learners can improve their competence in the language and develop their conversational skills - 19.3 effective targeting to increase the number of courses for parents and in the workplace. Basic Skills • Pembrokeshire County Council has a franchised agreement with Pembrokeshire College to deliver Basic Skills. • Family Literacy/Numeracy/Learning programmes are also run in partnership with schools, on behalf of the Basic Skills Agency. This provision includes: - “Keeping Up With The Children” – to develop parents knowledge and understanding of how their children are taught in their daily literacy and numeracy lessons - Basic ICT courses for young parents in areas of high deprivation - Family literacy and numeracy courses to raise standards of both parents and children - Welsh language courses for parents whose children are taught through the medium of Welsh and who wish to improve their skills in order to help their children. These are available in certain parts of the county bilingually. 20. TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL GOVERNORS • Minutes and briefing papers are provided bilingually for all Welsh medium schools. Governing Bodies in the north of the county and Ysgol Glan Cleddau are supported by Welsh speaking advisers, officers and clerks. • A wide range of training courses are provided for Governors and some are held through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. A Welsh medium/bilingual service is offered to full governing bodies on selfreview and monitoring. 21. POST 16 PROVISION 21.1 Welsh medium provision • • All the secondary schools provide Welsh as a subject in the 6th form, either as first or second language. In some cases the numbers are very low but the Heads are keen to continue the provision. Ysgol y Preseli is the only school which currently offers other subjects through the medium of Welsh in the 6th Form. The range of subjects is substantial but the sciences, mathematics, economics, IT and PE are currently taught through the medium of English. The intention is to change the medium of teaching in economics and physical education. 21.2 Special Educational Needs Ysgol y Preseli is the only institution providing Welsh medium education post 16, including pupils with Special Educational Needs. 21.3 Vocational Provision There is limited vocational provision in Ysgol Preseli at present. A project has been established by ELWA in the South West Region to identify resources and improve provision. Both Ysgol y Preseli and Bro Gwaun are members of this group. 21.4 Following the recent changes to the lifelong learning structures in Wales, Ysgol Preseli has been nominated as the institution able to provide post 16 bilingual and Welsh medium education. The new funding formula will have an impact on Welsh and bilingual provision but as yet the outcome is undetermined. 21.5 No additional funding is allocated at present for Welsh and Bilingual provision for Year 12 and 13 but Ysgol Preseli is one of the schools receiving a small 6th form supplement. 22. LINKS WITH OTHER AUTHORITIES/ORGANISATIONS 22.1 Links with other Authorities There has been co-operation with neighbouring counties in the provision of Secondary Welsh Inset and meetings have been held with representatives of the Performance Management Consortium for the southwest. Advisers from five authorities visited other counties for the purpose of Performance Management. 22.2 Links with other organisations and institutes Listed below are the links with a range of other organisations: i) Urdd Gobaith Cymru • Language courses in Llangrannog are supported with financial assistance granted by the Welsh Language Board. Welsh language peripatetic teachers attend courses in Llangrannog with their schools. A second language course has been devised for week-end courses along with guidelines for teachers on how to prepare pupils before the visit. • Writing squads and fun days for Welsh learners were arranged during 2002 - 2003 and the intention is to continue with these. • The Urdd Centre at Pentre Ifan is used for activities, e.g. writing squads and 6th Form Conference. • ii) iii) iv) v) The Authority co-operated with Urdd officers to secure lottery funding for Primary Urdd Clubs for after school activities. Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin (Welsh Playgroups Association) • Meetings are held on a regular basis with the development officer and MYM plays a key role within the Early Years Partnership. • The Education Service worked alongside MYM in conjunction with the Fishguard Project. Basic Skills Agency • By summer 2003, 97% of our primary schools will have completed the requirements of the Quality Mark. Four secondary schools will have been awarded the Quality Mark, including Ysgol y Preseli. • The story sacks project was developed in ten Welsh-medium schools as a result of a grant given by the Agency WJEC • Pembrokeshire Education Services contribute to the Service Level Agreement between Welsh Education Authorities and the Welsh Joint Education Committee. The Agreement includes a national programme of training for Welsh, a Welsh publications scheme which provides resources for Welsh medium education in schools, and opportunities for Pembrokeshire students to be nominated for membership of the National Youth Orchestra and Theatre of Wales. • The INSET department takes full advantage of the national in service training programme for Welsh. • The county is represented on four working parties. The advisory teacher is one of the Welsh First Language Junior Co-ordinators and one of the development officers is a member of the second language panel. Costs for supply teachers are secured, thus allowing two secondary heads of department to attend secondary working parties. • The county is represented every year at every national conference – Welsh junior and secondary, peripatetic Welsh teachers, second language at secondary level and Special Needs. CYDAG • Membership fees are paid on behalf of secondary schools who teach through the medium of Welsh. • One primary head teacher represents the County on the CYDAG committee and expenses are paid. vi) Rhieni dros Addysg Gymraeg (Parents for Welsh Medium Education) Meetings are held annually with RHAG officers. vii) Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru (Welsh Books’ Council) During the last two years, the county’s schools have been encouraged by the service to take part once again in the Welsh Books Quiz competition and arrangements are made by the advisory teacher. viii) Yr Academi Gymreig (Welsh Academy) Full advantage is taken of the sponsorship offered by the Academi Gymreig which enables the Service to hold Writing Squads every term, to arrange frequent visits by authors, as well as annual conferences for 6th Form students. ix) Local Language Ventures The Language Adviser is a member of the Board of Directors of Menter Preseli and chairs the education working party for Cynllun Bro D.J.. x) Education Business Partnership The Partnership supports Welsh departments in Secondary schools through subjects linked to careers and the workplace. 23. TRANSPORT POLICY • of The Education Authority provides free transport: − when a child of statutory school age, but who is under eight years age, lives more than two miles from the nearest appropriate school; − when a child of statutory school age, who is eight years of age or over, lives more than three miles from the nearest appropriate school; − when the walking route to the school is considered by a panel of the County Council to be dangerous. • When the primary school teaches Welsh as a first language and teaches through the medium of Welsh, parents will have the option of sending pupils to a secondary school which offers continuity of provision in that respect. • As Ysgol y Preseli is the only secondary school which offers this provision fully across the board, it is County policy to provide transport for pupils at designated Welsh medium primary schools or Category A units, from specified pick up points, for pupils who satisfy the statutory distance criteria. This includes Uned Gymraeg Penfro (Pembro Welsh Unit), Uned Gymraeg Dinbych-y-pysgod (Tenby Welsh Unit), Ffrwd Gymraeg Arberth (Narberth Welsh Stream), and the designated Welsh medium primary at Ysgol Glan Cleddau in Haverfordwest. The same policy applies for post – 16 students attending Ysgol y Preseli. • 24. In the past, some pupils have had to travel from the St David’s area to Ysgol y Preseli in order to receive Welsh medium education. It was found that the journey was unreasonably long. Therefore, if parents in that area wish for their children to receive a substantial proportion of their education through the medium of Welsh, the intention is to re-define the catchment area of Ysgol Bro Gwaun THE FUNDING POLICY FOR WELSH MEDIUM EDUCATION Primary A/B and A/C category schools with language units are recognised in the funding formula by means of an annual allocation. In addition, each category C school receives a capitation supplement, to be used in the main for the purchase of the services of Athrawon Bro. Secondary Bilingual classes at Bro Gwaun and Sir Thomas Picton schools are funded per 0.1 teachers at the upper point on the scale for each class. An allocation is made for the two schools with a language centre. 25 CATCHMENT AREAS 25.1 Each school is designated to serve a defined local geographical area or catchment area. Many catchment areas have historic basis and, in some older schools these areas follow parish boundaries. In more recently established schools the catchment areas are laid down in the Statutory Notice for the establishment of the school, following the statutory consultation process. Where schools serve an extended area beyond their designated catchment area due to their language designation, this is determined and reviewed when necessary by the County Council. Parents are given the opportunity to express preference for any of the Authority’s schools and may express a preference for a Welsh medium school or a Church school. The preference is met, provided that the school has the room and resources to accommodate the pupil. Should the requested school be oversubscribed, the Authority’s published admission criteria are applied in the following order of priority: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 25.2 residence within designated catchment area pupils attending feeder schools pupils with siblings at the school at the time of admission specific medical and social reasons appertaining to the pupil geographical distance measure by shortest walking route. Arrangements for the admission of existing pupils to a new Welsh medium school opening on a new site would be laid down in the Statutory Notice for the establishment of that school, following the statutory consultation process. The admission criteria, which applies to all community and voluntary controlled schools in Pembrokeshire, makes provision for siblings. 25.3 If there are more applications for places than there are places available, places are allocated according to the admission criteria up to the admission limit. If a place is not allocated at the preferred school, the Authority will offer an alternative school. Parents are then required to decided whether to accept the alternative offered, or to appeal to an independent Appeals Panel established by the County Council. Parents of pupils of statutory school age have the right of appeal. Parents are advised of this in the letter which they receive from the Council refusing the original request. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Director of Education and Community Services and are dealt with according to the National Assembly for Wales School Admission Appeals Code of Practice 1999. 26 FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS 26.1 Summary of the targets of the first Scheme • Although much has been achieved to increase the numbers of pupils receiving bilingual education it is necessary to further strengthen the links with Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin and to conduct a campaign to inform parents of the Welsh medium provision available, particularly in the south of the county. • The guidelines for the implementation of the county’s language policy have been reviewed in accordance with the target set of 70% achieving level 4+ in KS2 but the county’s Welsh medium schools are faced with the challenge of maintaining standards and improving the standard of children’s written work. • It has not been possible to increase the number of pupils following the first language programme in the majority of category B schools but standards of Welsh second language in those schools have improved according to Estyn inspection reports. In the A/B schools there has been a significant increase in the numbers of pupils in the A streams. • According to the evidence of inspection reports in category C schools over the past three years, significant improvements have been made in several instances. It is necessary to target schools where additional support is required to raise standards. • Bridging packs were provided to promote continuity between KS2 and KS3 but they have not yet had an opportunity to impact significantly on standards. • There has been a significant increase in the number of pupils receiving Welsh medium education at Ysgol y Preseli. There are plans to extend Welsh medium provision at Ysgol Bro Gwaun, and this will be a means of increasing the number of pupils following the Welsh programme of study in KS3. 26.2 26.3 • A great deal of training has been provided for teachers and classroom assistants on Popat and literacy improvement programmes in order to improve provision for SEN pupils. • Urdd membership in the county has increased and more children are participating in activities, partly as a result of the CCN funding obtained following co-operation between the Authority and the Urdd. The County’s Vision • In view of the county’s equal opportunities agenda, the aim of the Authority is to continue to make available Welsh medium/bilingual education to every child who wishes to receive it. • In terms of lifelong learning, one of the targets for the Early Years will be to plan for increasing Welsh medium and bilingual provision in regular/continuous care. The establishment of the Foundation Stage is both an opportunity and a challenge to develop bilingual education across the county. The main target for adult education is to increase the number of Welsh learners via Welsh language provision for adults and increasing the number of Welsh medium courses available. Strategies for the future Welsh medium education • The main strategy for Welsh medium primary education will be to monitor the implementation of the guidelines for the Welsh language policy in every school in the county (see appendix 5). • Despite the improvement in standards in KS2 (54%-70%) between 1999-2001 it is necessary to target schools where pupils are found to be under-achieving and to target schools where standards are judged to be lower than ‘good’. In order to achieve this it will be necessary to continue with the comprehensive training programme and to provide a range of resources including ICT materials, to offer the support of the advisory service and to organise a range of activities such as authors’ workshops. • The headteachers of category B schools have agreed the revised implementation guidelines that would move them gradually along a language continuum. Support will be provided to A/B schools to make similar progress. • During coming years Ysgol y Preseli school intends to develop a policy of teaching science and mathematics bilingually. All subjects with the exception of mathematics and science will be taught through the medium of Welsh in KS4 and KS5. • The support given to Ysgol Bro Gwaun to improve its Welsh medium provision will also be a means of promoting further progress. In September 2003 pupils from category A schools will take more subjects through the medium of Welsh / bilingually. Opt-out arrangements will be provided but the new set up will be more robust than the current system of opting in. • At Bro Gwaun, as at Ysgol Dewi Sant and Sir Thomas Picton, support will be needed to secure continuity for those pupils who followed the programme for Welsh in KS2. This will be achieved through the transition programme for families of schools. This also means that it will be necessary to market the concept amongst parents stressing the importance that achieving the highest possible standards is more important than the grade on a certificate. Therefore, one target will be to produce an appropriate information pack for parents. Welsh Second Language 26.4 • The guidelines for the implementation of the primary language policy encourage schools to plan for the teaching of certain elements of the foundation subjects through the medium of Welsh. They will need significant support if they are to achieve this. Quality training and resources will continue to be provided, particularly so in the case of ICT materials. One way of raising standards will be to establish procedures for teacher accreditation. • Further work is needed on primary/secondary transfer by developing the use of assessment data for planning purposes. • In KS3 the aim is to increase the use of Welsh across the curriculum as a deliberate strategy to strengthen language skills. It will be necessary to develop a unique model for all schools, dependent on a range of factors such as staff resources. • The greatest challenge for Welsh second language departments will be to increase the number of pupils taking the full GCSE course, promoting the higher level. As a matter of principle, it should be ensured that Welsh is well placed in the subject option columns for Year 10. It is certainly necessary to reduce the number of pupils leaving school with no qualifications in Welsh. • The work already done by schools to promote the Cwricwlwm Cymreig is acknowledged, but greater awareness in this field would be a means of increasing and improving pupils’ knowledge of Welsh. Planning Welsh medium education • In order to increase the demand for Welsh medium education it will be necessary to further develop links with Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin and to improve the way in which parents are informed of the provision available. • The policy of rationalising primary education provision in the county takes account of the Welsh language dimension and it will be necessary to undertake a feasibility study regarding the establishment of a second designated Welsh medium primary school in the south of the county. • Currently the network of category A schools provides bilingual primary education for pupils in the catchment areas of Ysgol y Preseli and Bro Gwaun. It will be necessary to carefully monitor such provision over the next five years in order to secure consistency and high standards. In the event of any drop in standards, the Authority would need to re-assess Welsh medium provision in those areas. • Another challenge would be to forward-plan in order to achieve continuity of Welsh medium provision in the secondary sector for each pupil in the county. 27. MONITORING The Implementation of the Scheme at Authority level will be monitored by the Authority’s Director of Education and Community Services and also by Mrs Marian Thomas, Language Adviser, Education Services, County Hall, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. The Welsh Education Scheme will form part of a comprehensive series of policies and plans that will form the basis of the work of the Authority and its schools. Monitoring the Scheme’s implementation and quality at school level will form part of the general arrangements for monitoring services, including: - planning bilingual and Welsh medium education for the future; monitoring the teaching and implementation of the Curriculum; organising and providing bilingual and Welsh medium support services for schools; monitoring the implementation of the Scheme’s timetable; consulting with schools, the public and with other parties with an interest in Welsh education; monitoring the frequency and nature of complaints in regard to the Scheme. Monitoring the Scheme will be a structured and ongoing activity using the methods based on evidence already in use to monitor the Authority’s other activities. Suggestions for improvements will be welcome. The Director of Education and Community Services will be responsible for monitoring complaints in regard to the Authority’s Welsh Education Scheme, and these will be responded to in accordance with the Authority’s Complaints Procedure. The Authority will provide the Welsh Language Board with an annual report in a form approved by the Board. The report will describe progress in terms of implementing the Scheme’s measures against the approved timetable, and will analyse the nature and extent of any complaints, suggestions and amendments put forward by the public. The Director of Education and Community Services will make arrangements to ensure that specific annual reports are drawn up on performance, and will prepare a report on the Directorate’s performance in relation to fulfilling its commitments. This report will be submitted to the County Council and will also be available to the public. The Authority will welcome and note any suggestions made by the public on improvements to its services. Any member of the public who wishes to propose improvements should contact the following or write to: Mr Gerson Davies Director of Education and Community Services Education Services Pembrokeshire County Council County Hall Pembrokeshire SA61 1TP Telephone: 01437 775860 Fax:: 01437 775838 28. TARGETS The 2003-2008 (Welsh Education Scheme reflects the strategic approach adopted by the Authority, and the targets included in the Welsh Education Scheme corroborate the targets and policies outlined in the Authority’s Education Strategic Plan, School Organisation Plan and Early Years and Childcare Development Plan. The Scheme’s implementation will be regularly measured against the target dates. A five-year period of implementation has been set, between 2003 and 2008 . The LEA will consider the financial implications of any measure where additional funds are needed, and will forward plan financially and strategically to meet the Scheme’s targets. The timetable will be reviewed and assessed annually, in discussion with the Welsh Language Board following the submission of an annual report on the implementation of the Scheme to the Board. If any additions or amendments are proposed to the timetable or targets, they will be discussed with the Welsh Language Board prior to their implementation. TARGETS AND IMPLEMENTATION TIMESCALE Target Timescale and implementation and planning methods Date for achieving the target 1. EARLY YEARS Extend the Welsh medium provision to include the two Early Years centres. Establish an Integrated Centre for Early Years at Crymych Spring 2005 Provide wrap around care in a minimum of four schools. One school by January 2004. Another three schools by 2005. Increase numbers at the Cylch Ti a Fi / Meithrin at Pembroke and Tenby. Hold regular meetings with MYM and TWF to work out a strategy. To be outlined during 2004. Increased numbers 2004-2006 Produce a Welsh for the Family pack Work with MYM, Twf and the Produce the pack by Menter Iaith to review the September 2004. Welsh for Families pack, to be distributed via Cylchoedd Ti a Annual distribution Fi and to non-Welsh speaking homes in three targeted areas. 2. TRANSITION BETWEEN EARLY YEARS AND THE WELSH MEDIUM AND BILINGUAL PRIMARY SCHOOL Transition pack to be produced jointly by MYM and the Early Years Welsh language working party Work with MYM to promote transition in order to achieve progression : Provide an exemplar scheme of work to achieve consistency By September 2005 Raise standards of learning in the Early Years Target schools where standards achieved are lower than ‘good’ 75% of schools inspected to achieve good standards by 2005 Establish a working party of Early Years teachers to provide INSET and resources, particularly following the implementation of the Foundation Stage Annually By Summer 2006 3. PRIMARY EDUCATION (i) Welsh medium and bilingual education • Undertake feasibility study on Assess the demand for Welsh medium education in levels of provision the south of the county Use feasibility study findings to underpin action plan to establish another designated school when and if numbers permit 2004 - 2005 • Gauge the effectiveness of the category A schools in the north of the county Review of provision and its effects on language growth in the north of the county First inspection and report by Summer 2006. Second report by Summer 2008 • Ensure that the county language policy guidelines are implemented in order to maintain standards and reflect pedagogic needs Category A schools to teach science and mathematics bilingually. 60% by September 2004. 100% by September 2005 Pupils at Ysgol Glan Cleddau to be assessed in mathematics and science through the medium of Welsh By Summer 2007 Strengthen the position of Welsh in all category B schools where appropriate. 60% of Year 6 pupils in one school to be assessed through the medium of Welsh By Summer 2004 50% of pupils in another two schools to be assessed through the medium of Welsh By Summer 2007 All schools to teach units within the foundation subjects through the medium of Welsh according to bilingual competences of pupils and staff Increasingly by September 2006 • 2005 - 2006 • Development of schools on the linguistic continuum Facilitate the transfer and statutory process Two A/B schools by 2006 • Support the A/C schools to increase the size of their Welsh medium unit subject to demand Assist schools to maintain staffing levels of Welsh language units within budget constraints. On going • Improve standards of oracy Provide training and arrange support from an advisory teacher. 85% of schools inspected to achieve good standards in oracy by summer 2005. • Raise standards of writing Provide speech therapy support. 80% of pupils to achieve level 4+ at KS2 in oracy by 2004 and 30% to achieve level 5. Encourage more schools to become involved with the Books Quiz 50% of Welsh medium schools to take part by 2005. Provide additional training on writing under instruction 60% to achieve level 4+ by 2006 and 20% of pupils to achieve level 5 at KS2 Publish a county portfolio January 2003 (ii) Teaching Welsh as a second language • Continue to raise standards of Welsh second language Provide training and resources, and in particular ICT materials Annually • Encourage schools to teach some elements of the foundation subjects through the medium of Welsh Development officers to monitor standards Annual reports (iii) Supporting schools to fulfil the objectives of the Cwricwlwm Cymreig. Provide exemplar policy By summer 2004 Provide Inset Annually (iv) Providing linguistic progression between primary key stages Complete KS1/KS2 bridging pack Summer 2004 Athrawon bro to moderate assessments for Year 6 pupils All primary school assessments to be transferred annually to the secondary school Publish information pack for parents on range of linguistic opportunities available. By September 2005 Conduct survey of pupils continuing with the Welsh language programme Annually 4. PRIMARY – SECONDARY TRANSITION • Promoting linguistic continuity 5. SECONDARY EDUCATION (i) Welsh medium and bilingual • Assess the demand for Welsh medium secondary education in the county Survey of demand and of available places and consider catchment area and transport implications Annual report • Ysgol y Preseli to offer all subjects apart from mathematics and science through the medium of Welsh in KS4 and KS5 Provide training e.g. visits to Welsh medium schools By September 2004 • Teach mathematics and science bilingually at Ysgol y Preseli at KS3 Designate units to be educated Begin in Year 7 in September through the medium of Welsh 2003 and for KS4 by 2008 • Support Ysgol Bro Gwaun to develop Welsh medium education Provide support to secure Welsh medium resources and provide training Annually up to 2008 Review the catchment of Ysgol Bro Gwaun in order to facilitate increased opportunities for Welsh medium education 2004 - 2005 Release head of department to serve as advisory teacher on secondment for two days per week for two terms Increase the number gaining Welsh second language qualification – from 65% in 2001 to 80% by summer 2004. (ii) English medium and Welsh as a second language • All pupils to be given the opportunity to take an external examination in Welsh as a second language by KS4 Provide training. Work with the Education and Business Partnership and the careers service to promote the teaching of Welsh as a second language (iii) The Cwricwlwm Cymreig in secondary schools Provide a training programme for the secondary sector Annually Continue to provide training and support to introduce programmes such as POPAT, Accelerated Literacy, Dyfal Donc and speech therapy. Annually 6. SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (i) Welsh medium education (ii) Welsh as a second language (iii) Welsh medium units (iv) Education for children with moderate, low incidence, intensive and sensory (v) Specialist services such as therapies through the medium of Welsh and the educational psychology service (vi) Materials Provide support to Welsh medium schools to maintain good practice re inclusion. Annually Continue to provide differentiated training and resources Annually Conduct regular review meetings to assess the need for another Welsh language unit in the north of the county By 2004 Continue to provide Welsh medium support where staff are available Annually Use available staff to meet the demand and review staff’s bilingual abilities regularly Annually Continue with the practice of producing documentation and resources in both languages Regularly Offer a Welsh language service to Welsh medium schools, along the lines of the current system Continue with provision • Monitor provision Annually • Target under-achieving schools • Offer guidance on language across the curriculum and IT (vii) Advisory services • Continue to provide the complete process of statutory assessment and production of statements in Welsh, English or bilingually at the beginning of the process. 7. THE ATHRAWON BRO SERVICE • Continue to provide a Welsh Athrawon Bro service 8. • 9. SERVICES FOR LATECOMERS TO THE WELSH LANGUAGE Continue to support two language centres • Annually Fund Canolfan Iaith y Preseli and Bro Gwaun with the support of a grant from the Welsh Language Board • Evaluate provision Annually • Arrange meeting with Rhag Annually • Hold meetings with the Urdd, MYM. Termly • Arrange activities such as writing squads and Urdd fun days Annually • Increase the use of Welsh medium courses for governors according to demand Annually CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS AND COUNTIES • Continue to work with organisations and bodies identified in 22.2 10. SERVICES AND TRAINING FOR SCHOOL GOVERNORS • Continue to provide a bilingual service 11. POST 16 EDUCATION • Provision for Year 12 and 13 students funded at Preseli • Provide Welsh medium / bilingual education • Provide opportunities for students to study Welsh as • a first and second language at KS5 Annually Provision distributed in schools across the LEA 12. COMMUNITY EDUCATION INCLUDING WELSH FOR ADULTS AND BASIC SKILLS • Continue to develop provision • Hold and support increasing number of Welsh for adults courses across the county. Annually – conditional on funding from ELWA • Increase the number of Welsh for adults courses for parents and in the workplace Conditional on funding from ELWA • Extend Welsh medium provision to include the areas of Fishguard and Narberth subject to demand. • Increase the courses for parents whose children are educated through the medium and who wish to improve their basic skills in order to help their children • Report to the Welsh Language Board and to members of the cabinet of the County Council Fishguard by August 2004 Narberth by August 2005 Annually (conditional on ELWA resources) 13. MONITORING THE SCHEME Annually Appendix 1 ESTIMATED PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE AGED 3 AND OVER WHO SAID THEY COULD SPEAK WELSH 2001 ELECTORAL DIVISIONS (2003) - PEMBROKESHIRE % of Welsh Speakers Relates to residents aged 3 and over Less than 10.0% 10.1%-20.0% 20.1%-35.0% 35.1%-50.0% More than 50.0% Source: 2001 Census of Population Office for National Statistics 2001 Census: Knowledge of Welsh Electoral Division Amroth Burton Camrose Carew Cilgerran Clydau Crymych Dinas Cross East Williamston Fishguard North East Fishguard North West Goodwick Haverfordwest: Castle Haverfordwest: Garth Haverfordwest: Portfield Haverfordwest: Prendergast Haverfordwest: Priory Hundleton Johnston Kilgetty/Begelly Lampeter Velfrey Lamphey Letterston Llangwm Llanrhian Maenclochog Manorbier Martletwy Merlin's Bridge Milford: Central Milford: East Milford: Hakin Milford: Hubberston Milford: North Milford: West Narberth Narberth Rural Newport Neyland: East Neyland: West Pembroke Dock: Central Pembroke Dock: Llanion Pembroke Dock: Market Pembroke Dock: Pennar Pembroke: Monkton Pembroke: St. Mary North Pembroke: St. Mary South Pembroke: St. Michael Penally Rudbaxton St. David's St. Dogmaels St. Ishmael's Saundersfoot Scleddau Solva Tenby: North Tenby: South The Havens Wiston Pembrokeshire All people aged 3 and over Understands spoken Welsh only* Speaks but does Speaks and Speaks; reads Other not read or reads but does and writes combination of write Welsh not write Welsh Welsh skills No knowledge of Welsh Total with ability to speak Welsh % with ability to speak Welsh Total with some knowledge of Welsh % with some knowledge of Welsh 1211 1453 2277 1346 1854 1384 2241 1491 2262 1662 1419 1784 1897 2574 2120 1703 2054 1606 2165 1933 1413 1534 1985 1919 1409 2757 1873 1287 2069 1808 1941 2244 2297 2201 2083 1808 1255 1089 2090 1939 1479 2447 1558 2852 1605 1872 1355 2107 1539 1592 1746 2080 1377 2706 1316 1378 2108 2679 1292 1657 79 76 110 52 174 61 152 95 84 172 175 206 87 140 118 70 123 63 87 85 97 67 157 94 121 197 69 74 101 59 61 49 78 57 84 135 97 105 76 81 61 81 43 98 56 62 41 81 80 77 173 168 55 150 145 127 102 111 67 136 33 28 70 24 100 63 112 93 55 118 106 85 63 78 82 54 62 32 70 45 66 25 133 59 114 151 39 45 77 34 51 43 57 47 59 84 37 76 46 42 31 65 53 86 63 49 17 37 54 53 104 140 42 48 80 87 55 31 24 93 10 17 43 8 63 34 71 45 13 67 81 56 32 35 31 19 24 12 12 17 18 17 86 15 68 95 18 18 29 9 24 12 19 20 17 38 17 53 17 18 11 15 18 24 11 16 6 16 17 19 60 63 13 22 48 48 17 26 14 42 96 126 273 128 809 699 1238 670 181 451 397 410 205 258 231 239 239 154 212 156 262 140 627 181 515 1277 180 175 247 138 144 173 231 227 163 310 188 400 168 173 119 221 128 242 116 167 113 197 125 239 465 860 126 220 384 334 182 223 162 298 25 24 69 35 40 33 47 35 48 57 58 65 40 70 47 38 44 35 34 33 44 33 76 52 60 65 42 32 52 19 36 51 52 29 42 45 26 29 48 43 27 50 30 82 40 43 28 46 41 47 70 57 39 58 41 46 36 61 30 47 968 1182 1712 1099 668 494 621 553 1881 797 602 962 1470 1993 1611 1283 1562 1310 1750 1597 926 1252 906 1518 531 972 1525 943 1563 1549 1625 1916 1860 1821 1718 1196 890 426 1735 1582 1230 2015 1286 2320 1319 1535 1150 1730 1222 1157 874 792 1102 2208 618 736 1716 2227 995 1041 139 171 386 160 972 796 1421 808 249 636 584 551 300 371 344 312 325 198 294 218 346 182 846 255 697 1523 237 238 353 181 219 228 307 294 239 432 242 529 231 233 161 301 199 352 190 232 136 250 196 311 629 1063 181 290 512 469 254 280 200 433 11.48 11.77 16.95 11.89 52.43 57.51 63.41 54.19 11.01 38.27 41.16 30.89 15.81 14.41 16.23 18.32 15.82 12.33 13.58 11.28 24.49 11.86 42.62 13.29 49.47 55.24 12.65 18.49 17.06 10.01 11.28 10.16 13.37 13.36 11.47 23.89 19.28 48.58 11.05 12.02 10.89 12.30 12.77 12.34 11.84 12.39 10.04 11.87 12.74 19.54 36.03 51.11 13.14 10.72 38.91 34.03 12.05 10.45 15.48 26.13 243 271 565 247 1186 890 1620 938 381 865 817 822 427 581 509 420 492 296 415 336 487 282 1079 401 878 1785 348 344 506 259 316 328 437 380 365 612 365 663 355 357 249 432 272 532 286 337 205 377 317 435 872 1288 275 498 698 642 392 452 297 616 20.07 18.65 24.81 18.35 63.97 64.31 72.29 62.91 16.84 52.05 57.58 46.08 22.51 22.57 24.01 24.66 23.95 18.43 19.17 17.38 34.47 18.38 54.36 20.90 62.31 64.74 18.58 26.73 24.46 14.33 16.28 14.62 19.02 17.26 17.52 33.85 29.08 60.88 16.99 18.41 16.84 17.65 17.46 18.65 17.82 18.00 15.13 17.89 20.60 27.32 49.94 61.92 19.97 18.40 53.04 46.59 18.60 16.87 22.99 37.18 110182 5982 3870 1804 18012 2672 77842 23686 21.50 32340 29.35 Appendix 2 Sample of Inset provided – Welsh and Welsh Second Language Primary Drama in the classroom POPAT Catch Up Accelerated Literacy Developing Oracy Literacy KS 1 Literacy KS 2 Guided Writing KS 2 Teaching Welsh Second Language for classroom assistants Methodology of Welsh Second Language teaching Beginners Course Follow up Course After-care courses (5 sessions) Reading KS 1 and KS 2 Language across the curriculum Secondary The White Interactive Board GCSE Welsh Language GCSE Welsh Second Language Good practice in the teaching of Welsh Second Language Learning Learning Workshop Raising the standards in writing IT to promote language A level Welsh course Raise standards of underachieving pupils Developing Reading Skills KS 3 and KS 4 SEN Provision Responding to Poetry – KS 3 and KS 4 Appendix 3 Primary Numbers & Projections (1996 to 2009 Est) (18/3/03) Birth Rate No. 2203 2209 2210 2212 2214 2215 2216 2217 2219 2220 2222 2223 2224 2225 2226 2227 2228 2231 2235 2236 2237 2241 2242 2243 2244 2246 2248 2250 2253 2254 2257 2258 2260 2261 2262 2263 2264 School SAGESTON EGLWYSWRW FISHGUARD JM GOODWICK FENTON COMMUNITY PRENDERGAST JM PRENDERGAST INF HAYSCASTLE ORIELTON JOHNSTON LAMPHEY BRYNCONIN BLAENFFOS CRYMYCH GLANDWR HERMON HOOK LLANYCHLLWYDOG HAKIN JUN HAKIN INF MILFORD HAVEN JUN MOYLEGROVE NARBERTH YSGOL BRO INGLI NEYLAND JUN ALBION SQUARE INF PENNAR JUN PUNCHESTON ST DOGMAELS WOLFSCASTLE PENTLEPOIR SAUNDERSFOOT STEPASIDE TEMPLETON TENBY CPJM SOLVA PENNAR INF 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 FTE FTE FTE FTE FTE 120 130 136 138 134 113 121 127 127 125 136 156 151 151 151 167 166.5 160.5 163 152.5 363.5 199 227 233 243 241 182.5 221 209 192.5 182 39 45 44 39 34 101 90 89 87 90.5 182 197 197 211 213.5 196 183 176 166 178 79 79 76 80 77.5 36 35 37 35 36 103 101 106 100 100 38 47 56 54 56 40 40 39 44 44 78 77 93 93 93 21 21 29 32 30 201 210 196 198 197 126 116 121 147 140.5 399 403 409 404 390 29 32 31 27 24 226 223 243 248 247 69 75 69 71 69.5 155 168 174 191 192 137 137.5 142 138.5 128.5 148 148 172 189 209 42 32 36 48 46 130 136 121 114 109 21 30 34 36 39 106 97 76 72 58 219.5 213 226 247 263.5 147 150 154 145 136 87 112 123 123 124 237 244 250 257 282 58 57 61 59 63.5 148 160 141 136 146.5 2001 FTE 148.5 122 139 136 340 242 173 36 97 212 183.5 80.5 34 106 52 48 93 29 178 130.5 381 28.5 230 74 186 123 225 49 104 37 60 251.5 133 138 293 62.5 134.5 2002 FTE 140 125 157 136 340.5 253 193 36 98 220 179 89.5 30 94 37 48 100 31 179 125.5 387 26.5 235 79 186 115 204 52 99 35 63 257 135 135 296 67 130.5 2003 FTE 142 123 158 134 349 257 195 25 81 200 178 91 28 93 42 52 91 25 158 139 351 22 227 98 173 108 208 57 105 35 55 277 154 134 298 69 121 2004 Est 137 114 135 140 343 240 179 27 74 193 154 99 27 81 39 48 91 24 155 131 356 20 226 97 171 106 184 56 85 32 72 261 162 124 268 72 110 2005 Est 117 106 130 141 324 219 167 32 67 176 139 95 22 82 29 43 85 19 150 129 362 17 222 93 168 102 162 63 77 35 80 253 154 105 262 69 109 2006 Est 107 89 121 155 305 206 142 31 60 172 118 93 18 82 25 41 78 17 152 113 353 17 218 82 167 104 146 71 65 33 94 241 151 85 249 73 102 2007 Est 98 81 119 169 280 191 138 36 57 171 101 101 19 82 20 40 71 16 153 110 358 18 212 79 154 105 125 71 58 31 111 227 157 77 216 70 103 2008 Est 86 75 120 174 277 172 139 39 47 174 87 96 17 79 16 35 68 16 142 110 336 17 217 74 131 105 116 75 47 35 133 218 154 67 204 75 104 2009 Est 83 62 105 185 253 152 147 41 47 169 68 104 18 79 16 36 67 16 132 119 308 17 216 68 105 107 114 80 39 37 148 211 159 61 181 72 105 % Change -41.70 -49.59 -33.26 38.20 -27.53 -41.04 -24.64 62.00 -41.98 -15.29 -61.69 14.36 -37.50 -15.05 -61.90 -30.77 -26.37 -34.69 -16.73 -13.85 -12.34 -20.93 -5.07 -30.61 -39.11 -0.72 -44.99 40.35 -62.68 5.71 169.09 -23.87 2.92 -54.48 -39.15 4.35 -12.91 Primary Numbers & Projections (1996 to 2009 Est) Birth Rate THE MEADS INF 2265 TAVERNSPITE 2266 MOUNT AIREY INF 2267 CROESGOCH 2270 BROAD HAVEN 2271 ROCH 2273 THE MOUNT INF 2276 NEYLAND INF 2277 FISHGUARD INF 2279 GLAN CLEDDAU 2383 COASTLANDS 2384 YSGOL CLYDAU 2385 PEMBROKE DOCK CP 2386 MONKTON CP 2387 GOLDEN GROVE 2388 ANGLE 3033 BURTON 3034 CILGERRAN 3035 COSHESTON 3036 LLANGWM 3040 MANORBIER 3042 TREDAFYDD 3044 MATHRY 3046 PENALLY 3047 SPITTAL 3050 STACKPOLE 3051 TENBY INF 3052 HAVERFORDWEST VC 3053 LETTERSTON 3054 ST FLORENCE 3055 HUBBERSTON 3057 YSGOL BRO DEWI 3310 FISHGUARD RC 3311 PEMBROKE DOCK RC 3312 HAVERFORDWEST RC 3313 MILFORD HAVEN RC 3314 ST AIDANS VA 3315 ST TEILOS RC 3319 ST MARKS VA 3320 ST OSWALDS VA 3321 TOTAL (18/3/03) 228.5 230 221 209 202.5 196.5 196 139 144 149 162 185 186 189 210.5 212.5 211.5 189.5 191.5 190 195 91 77 86 107 103 106 115 96 98 106 107 112 113 103 161 168 159 150 135 134 124.5 191 191.5 183 158.5 153 153.5 149 155.5 159 158.5 150 163 165 158 136.5 130 142 136 131 121 118 125 130.5 133 139 168.5 183.5 197 171 177 164 162 47 56 410 434 421 421 409 425 466 268 20 83 85 51 86 106 26 34 38 102 123 246 179 124 67 180 23 23 22 21 82 81 79 82 80 89 97 94 53 49 52 48 78 89 88 93 99.5 94.5 87.5 89.5 28 20 27 28.5 36 36 34 41 39 34 44 44 120 127 126 127 122.5 140 143 149.5 239.5 242.5 250.5 236 180 179 175 150 119 118 123.5 114 67 69 71 80 164 168 169 168.5 139 124 125 123 128 120 164 163 160.5 144.5 143 185.5 176 190 201 214.5 108 106 114 129 148 137 135 149 150 141 110 104 103 121.5 127.5 171 176 182 190 171 21 76 105 42 91 85 46.5 47 42 129 144.5 237 150 99.5 84 174 144.5 120 146.5 205 153 161 130.5 180 21 76 98 44 81 76.5 54 49 41.5 122 143.5 232 148 85 77 164 145.5 115 126.5 207.5 153 155.5 125 164.5 109 220 211 183 165 210 207 125 120 114 101 126 120 137 134 164 145 117 118 204 209 156 142 60 50 488 443 256 250 293 277 21 15 76 69 105 93 47 46 91 95 81 80 59 60 54 55 33 27 124 107 128 111 216 203 138 155 71 67 76 73 157 154 141 122 119 120 116 105 195 192 155 152 170 156 120 115 168 182 94 97 10650 10168 201 148 193 117 98 117 122 131 110 218 134 50 407 262 285 21 63 81 49 89 76 50 58 25 96 99 181 162 72 74 144 120 113 104 184 149 138 111 193 99 9744 177 117 163 105 96 110 113 128 87 216 134 44 368 265 291 20 56 64 48 89 81 45 57 29 84 77 168 190 74 68 132 109 108 107 171 137 129 105 195 92 9218 176 108 159 100 93 119 112 136 85 212 130 43 346 276 299 20 52 60 52 99 82 42 57 34 79 67 167 208 76 59 136 111 104 105 167 129 115 101 209 88 9043 179 95 160 99 85 121 114 148 82 201 138 36 328 285 317 20 52 57 54 102 85 36 55 38 75 59 167 200 78 54 134 106 97 110 156 126 111 93 236 90 8852 195 75 169 99 84 126 125 146 90 197 147 33 314 282 325 21 46 49 58 105 94 36 55 39 73 48 167 177 78 52 129 100 92 112 144.5 121 97 89 250 88 8646 -11.10 -59.02 -19.32 -20.80 -26.32 0.00 -8.11 -10.98 -23.38 -3.14 -5.77 -45.83 -35.61 10.16 10.92 0.00 -39.47 -53.33 22.34 14.84 16.15 -38.98 0.93 18.46 -41.13 -62.89 -22.30 28.34 9.86 -31.58 -17.76 -29.43 -23.09 -3.10 -25.92 -22.13 -43.24 -25.65 48.96 -6.42 -18.82 Secondary School Pupil Number Predictions 1996 - 2009 Fishguard High Ysgol Dewi Sant Greenhill Pembroke Sir Thomas Picton Milford Haven Ysgol Y Preseli Tasker Milward 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 778 333 1337 1445 1200 1335 434 1111 Totals 7973 759 342 1307 1444 1224 1330 444 1129 7979 777 344 1322 1440 1204 1293 474 1112 7966 767 368 1271 1507 1225 1316 524 1091 8069 728 369 1321 1505 1261 1300 582 1102 8168 709 394 1321 1538 1253 1288 634 1109 8246 711 412 1351 1524 1228 1232 726 1098 8282 711 418 1408 1549 1226 1294 793 1114 8513 2004 est 711 416 1450 1636 1237 1285 843 1131 8709 2005 est 681 409 1480 1650 1257 1278 856 1174 8785 2006 est 676 403 1484 1643 1245 1262 872 1171 8756 2007 est 649 387 1472 1612 1205 1226 842 1168 8561 2008 est 638 368 1440 1585 1212 1196 832 1163 8434 2009 est 620 364 1387 1534 1217 1170 788 1204 8284 Appendix 5 PRIMARY LANGUAGE POLICY CATEGORY A SCHOOLS in traditionally Welsh areas in the North of the County and the designated Welsh school, stream and units in the South of the County. Declaration • In order to ensure that the children have a firm foundation in the Welsh language, the life and work of nursery classes and Key Stage 1 will be conducted primarily through the medium of Welsh. • Welsh is the principal medium of life and work in Key Stage 2 and in order to ensure that pupils have an opportunity to become fully bilingual by the time they leave junior school, English should be introduced as they transfer from Key Stage 1 to KS2. Aim • The County’s language policy for the above schools aims to enable them to facilitate complete bilingualism, by fostering well-balanced bilingual pupils who are able to understand and use both languages for listening and reading, talking and writing and to understand the curriculum presented in both languages and to enable them to function in either language. Methodology The Early Years and KS1 Establishing a firm foundation in Welsh in the nursery, reception and KS1 classes is essential in order to meet the aim. Therefore, Welsh is the principal teaching medium, with appropriate emphasis being placed on developing the children’s speaking and listening skills, in order to establish a firm foundation for success in reading and writing at a later stage. Speech • Speech is the basis for communication; it forms the basis for teachers’ and children’s relationships with one another. Therefore, speech must be considered from the outset from the position of the child coming to school for the first time. • It’s the school’s responsibility to ensure that the child settles at school and is able to communicate freely with the other children and the staff. • This can be accomplished sensitively by speaking individually to the children from non-Welsh homes through the medium of English – but adhering to the Welsh language for teaching. At the beginning it is possible that the children will be speaking English to one another but structures to ensure communication through the medium of Welsh will be developed gradually e.g. role-playing in the Wendy house. • However, in order to ensure that Welsh develops as the oral language for a mixed language group a specific plan including the following, is required: - using Welsh from the outset as the language for mass communication - ensuring that Welsh develops as soon as possible to be the language of the class by implementing a specific and sensitive policy - grouping pupils with a great deal of teacher/assistant intervention in situations such as role-play, in order to promote the Welsh language. - creating situations where the children can use Welsh confidently, realising that some children may not speak Welsh with others apart from the teacher at the beginning. This must be accepted and respected. - developing Welsh with children from non-Welsh homes is a slow process. A child’s language development could follow the following pattern: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) child responding in English for a period showing a willingness to respond in Welsh but with many English words. gradually speaking Welsh with sensitive encouragement choosing to speak Welsh of own accord. The progress of each child during these stages will not be the same and it is important to:- regularly praise and appreciate the pupils’ efforts act sensitively when correcting oral language ensure that a good example is given of oral language, which emphasises natural syntax - ensure that the organisation of the class endorses its natural Welsh ethos Reading Children’s language development depends on an interaction between speaking and listening, reading and writing. Literacy ensures a wider range of language use. • According to the Policy, Welsh will be the principal teaching medium, therefore Welsh will also be the principal reading medium. • Some children from non-Welsh speaking homes who start school will have been used to having stories read to them and will be starting to read English. This practice should not be discouraged, but its continuity in the home should be encouraged. • The fact that some children can already read before coming to school emphasises that a home/school partnership is the means by which a complete education for children will be ensured, and reading in both languages can develop whilst strengthening this partnership. • Displaying a good variety of Welsh books is essential and pupils should be allowed to choose books for themselves and encouraged to handle and read them. • By the end of KS1 it will become apparent that reading in Welsh alone at school has not hindered reading development in another language. • Help can be given to parents in the form of guidelines for helping children with reading and by holding reading workshops or informal sessions with them. Writing • Welsh will be the principal medium for writing activities. • A great deal of oral work will be necessary introducing vocabulary and modelling language patterns before written tasks are set. • Whilst children are writing they must be given appropriate support, as they are given when they speak and read. • Marking and redrafting children’s written work must be done sensitively, as accuracy is not the expected norm at this age. KS2 • Welsh is the language of communication throughout the school and will be the principal medium for teaching and learning in KS2. • English will be formally introduced at the beginning of KS2. • Science and Mathematics will be taught through the medium of both Welsh and English. Whilst transferring from KS1 some aspects will be progressively introduced through the medium of English. The teaching medium should give pupils the opportunity to be assessed either through the medium of English or Welsh at the end of KS2. • Introducing key terms/vocabulary in the various subjects in both languages should be a means of corroborating knowledge and the understanding of concepts. • Some aspects of a foundation subject could be taught through the medium of English in order to satisfy the requirements of the English curriculum. • In order to ensure that KS2 pupils develop both languages simultaneously a subject could be introduced in one language and discussed and developed in the other language, i.e. dual literacy. Balanced bilingualism is the aim and with the increase in the number of pupils from non-Welsh speaking homes, good standards of achievement in both languages must be ensured. This calls for sufficient input and opportunities to practise the language across the curriculum. • Assessment • The baseline will be assessed in the language of the home. • If the pupil is from a Welsh speaking home, language will be assessed through the medium of Welsh. • If the pupil is from a non-Welsh speaking or from a mixed linguistic background home, assessments will be conducted through both languages in order to establish the pupil’s inherent ability and linguistic skills but also to set a baseline assessment in the Welsh language. • The assessment at the end of KS1 will be conducted in all three core subjects through the medium of Welsh. If a pupil starts at the school during year 2, assessments can be carried out through the medium of English, but the pupil’s ability in Welsh should also be assessed so that the baseline for that subject is also available. • All pupils are to sit Welsh and English tests at the end of KS2. • The school will decide the assessment medium for mathematics and science at the end of KS2 but it must be ensured that pupils are given the opportunity to sit one/two subjects through the medium of Welsh. Latecomers • If a non-Welsh speaking child moves to the school during KS1 the following provision must be made for him/her:- differentiated work should be provided - help by an assistant should be offered - ensure that he/she is included in every lesson by giving him/her an opportunity to repeat and emulate - plan to teach Welsh by practising patterns through general KS1 practical class activities. • The language of the class should not be changed to accommodate individual pupils but the situation must be treated in a caring and sensitive manner. • When a non-Welsh speaking child moves to the school during KS2 he/she will be invited to attend a Language Centre. This provision can be offered to year 2 pupils when appropriate. Special Educational Needs • Evidence shows that the majority of SEN children can cope with developing two languages in accordance with their ability. • A child with special educational needs should not be excluded from the opportunity to benefit from bilingual education. • Individual education plans should specify a pupil’s linguistic provision requirements. Designated Welsh medium school, stream and units in the South of the County. • The aims for the pupils of the Welsh medium school, stream and units are the same as those for Category A schools i.e. to develop bilingually balanced pupils. • The majority of the pupils at Ysgol Glan Cleddau, the Welsh medium stream at Ysgol Arberth and the units in the South of the county come from non-Welsh speaking homes, therefore an education immersion programme is essential. • In the Early Years and KS1 the same guidelines as for category A schools are followed. • However, in KS2 every subject is taught through the medium of Welsh and Mathematics and Science are assessed through the medium of Welsh. However, vocabulary and terminology can be introduced in both languages in order to strengthen knowledge and understanding. Furthermore, some aspects of a subject can be taught through the medium of English in order to satisfy the requirements of the English curriculum. CATEGORY B SCHOOLS AND UNITS Declaration The Welsh language should be used as a medium for the life and work in nursery classes and KS1. This sets a firm foundation for continuing to teach Welsh at KS2 in order to ensure that both the Welsh and English languages are given equal opportunities within the life and work of the school. Aim The County’s language policy for category B schools and units aims to move pupils along the linguistic continuum whilst transferring gradually from the programme of study for Welsh as a second language to the programme of study for Welsh. Methodology In order to meet the aim, schools should operate as follows:• Make increased use of Welsh as an incidental language in order to enable pupils to communicate easily with the teachers and their peers in Welsh. • Ensure that some foundation subjects such as art, music and physical education are taught mainly through the medium of Welsh in KS1 and KS2. • Plan to teach some units of work in the humanities through the medium of Welsh at both key stages. • Give frequent Welsh literacy lessons to enable pupils to develop oral, reading and writing skills. • Although English will be the principal medium for developing the reading skills of the majority of pupils from non-Welsh homes in KS1, developing reading skills through the medium of Welsh is one of the requirements of the programme of study for Welsh as a second language. When a pupil can read fairly confidently in his/her mother tongue, he/she should be given a Welsh reading book. Guided reading of text would give pupils confidence to develop as independent readers in their second language. Assessment • The baseline will be administered in the language of the home. • KS1 pupils will be assessed in their mother tongue. • Achievement levels for Welsh and Welsh as a second language will be used to assess second language KS1 pupils. • By the end of KS2, pupils should have the opportunity to be assessed through the medium of Welsh as well as in English. Latecomers • The programme of study for Welsh as a second language is followed with those that arrive in school during KS2. Staffing • This language policy entails staffing implications and at present it will be impossible for all Category B schools to implement the above steps. Therefore, the language policy should be a key factor when appointing staff from now on. CATEGORY C SCHOOLS, i.e. English medium schools in mid and South Pembrokeshire Declaration Welsh is taught as a second language ensuring that every child is given the opportunity to learn the language. Aim The County’s language policy for the English medium schools aims to create a positive attitude towards the Welsh language and establish Welsh as an essential part of the life and work of the school, in order to satisfy the requirements of the National Curriculum study programme for Welsh as a second language. Methodology In order to meet the aim, schools should operate as follows: • It is recommended that 1½ hours a week should be assigned to the teaching of Welsh. In addition to this, an increased use of Welsh as an incidental language should be made in assemblies, registration sessions, in the school’s daily life in general and as a language medium across the subjects. This means the use of the language by the staff and pupils. • Ensure an appropriate environment where respect for the Welsh language is shown by: - giving the Welsh language visual prominence throughout the school - using Welsh in assemblies, concerts etc. - promoting extracurricular activities e.g. Eisteddfodau, Gwersyll Llangrannog, visits • Ensure an appropriate variety of resources that will facilitate the children’s development, including ICT. • Raise the children’s awareness of Wales’ cultural heritage by: - identifying opportunities across the curriculum to promote the Welsh Curriculum - introducing them to Welsh lullabies, poetry, songs and music. - reading Welsh legends. - learning about current and past famous Welsh people and heroes - studying books by Anglo-Welsh authors - visiting Welsh establishments of importance - attending Welsh language activities e.g. Dyddiau Hwyl yr Urdd, Llangrannog, Eisteddfod yr Urdd etc • Enable the children to understand and use the language for different purposes in a variety of situations. • Offer a variety of interesting and relevant experiences to help the children become more confident in the use of the Welsh language. • Ensure the development of language skills by giving guidance, encouragement and support to the children as they develop as speakers, readers and writers in Welsh. Speech • The children should be helped to develop as listeners, observers and speakers who are able to express themselves clearly, eloquently and confidently in order to communicate with others, respond appropriately in different situations and discuss with other children and adults in an individual, group and class situation. • In the Early Years the initial emphasis should be on nurturing listening skills and pupils’ response to what they hear and see. • During KS1, the foundations set should be built upon by means of a variety of activities that will provide them with an opportunity to further develop their oral skills. • In KS2, the nature of the experiences that the pupils have should mean that the motivation broadens their horizons and the subjects discussed should be more varied and stretching in order to enable them to respond in greater detail and to hold a conversation. Reading • Children should be helped to develop as readers who are able to read for a purpose, fluently and intelligently. • In the Early Years children should be encourage to enjoy books. • In KS1, their reading skills should be developed further in order to encourage them to become independent readers who read simple pieces aloud. • In KS2, reading a wider variety of subjects and for different purposes should extend the pupils’ reading experiences. Writing • Children should be helped to develop as writers who are able to express themselves for different purposes. • During the Early Years, pupils should be encouraged to consider ‘writing’ as an activity with a purpose. • During KS1, the pupils’ ability to write basic words, phrases and sentences that reflect what has been done orally, should be developed. • During KS2, the nature of the experience that the pupils have, should expand and develop their ability to write in different genres and for different purposes. Assessment • Ensure that the children’s development is assessed continually and that their achievements are recorded. • At the end of KS2, every child’s achievement in the three attainment targets should be recorded to facilitate transferring the information to the secondary school. The (Athrawon Bro) service can provide support for schools. Special Educational Needs • A child with SEN should not be excluded from the opportunity to learn Welsh unless he/she has a statement that specifies otherwise. Monitor • It is essential that schools discuss their language policy and assess how effective it is implemented on an annual basis, and consider methods to strengthen its implementation where necessary.