A school perspective on the effective use of the
Health Research Network
19th March 2015
Leadership Team
Sue Hollister – Headteacher
Heather Cooper – Deputy Headteacher Pastoral
Carl Bale – Deputy Headteacher Academic
Gemma Price- Finance/Business Manager
Tackling Deprivation and Raising Standards – our context
PORT TENNANT/ST THOMAS/BONYMAEN/
WINCH WEN/TRALLWN
 101st/1760 most deprived ward in Wales (WIMD 2015)
 43.5% Free School Meals (287/660 pupils)
 73% of our pupils live in the 30% most deprived parts
of Wales (WIMD 2015)
 A decade of budget deficit, in surplus since 2013
Along the Improvement Journey
Estyn inspection report December 2011
Standards
Good
Key Question 1 Outcomes
Good
Prospects for Improvement
Excellent
Key Question 2 Provision
Excellent
Key Question 3 Leadership
Excellent
Aspects Judged Good
Aspects Judged Excellent
Standards
Teaching
Resource Management
Wellbeing
Learning Experiences
Care, support and guidance
Learning environment
Leadership
Partnership Working
Improving Quality
Along the Improvement Journey
Estyn Best Practice Guide November 2012
• Effective practice in tackling poverty and disadvantage in schools (1 of 10 schools in Wales)
Welsh Government Standards Unit June 2013
• Key Stage 4 Mathematics: what works in 11 schools
National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics July 2013
• Excellence in Mathematics Award
Estyn Best Practice Guide October 2013
• Good practice in Mathematics at Key Stage 4 (1 of 10 schools in Wales)
Estyn Thematic Report December 2013
• Twelve secondary school improvement journeys
Estyn Thematic Report Summer 2014
• Best practice in ESDGC
Estyn Thematic Report Summer 2014
• Quality assurance – classroom observation for school improvement
Estyn Chief Inspector’s Annual Reports 2011/12 and 2013/14
• School named and best practice described
Estyn School Improvement Journey – 12 Schools 2014
• School identified as 1 of 12 on improvement journey/Headteacher invited to deliver training
on behalf of Estyn
Health and Well Being
 Phase 5 Healthy Schools Scheme
 Rights Respecting Schools – Level 1
 Restorative Practice – Case Study School
 Best Practice reports - ESTYN
 Eco-schools Green Flag
 Active Marc
 Investors in People - Silver
 Basic Skills Quality Standard
 Judged excellent in all aspects for care, support and
guidance and Well Being
The impact of excellent standards in Well Being
• Attendance – Pupils are in school over 93% of the time.
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Learning time is maximised.
Pupil Performance is in quartile 1 for all indicators
A large team involving health professionals, pupils, parents
has developed as the Healthy Living team and meet
regularly
The pastoral team energise pupils to develop positive
attitudes to learning through care and intervention.
Safeguarding is of the highest standard allowing pupils to
develop and grow in a safe environment
Significant TLR investment in the Senior Pastoral team,
Health and well being team ensures dedicated time and
support is given to ensure there are no barriers to learning.
Initial thoughts on receiving our Student
Health and Wellbeing Report
 The survey provides up to date data on a range of health
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related issues.
It will inform the school/parents/community about the
health and wellbeing of its pupils.
Each question can be considered and action planning can
take place to improve that aspect.
The Pupil Deprivation Grant can be better used to raise the
performance of free school meals pupils
Data in each question can be considered and action
planning can take place to improve that aspect.
.....
Continued
 Pupil Voice can identify the key findings and discuss
within different forums. Issues would then be brought to
the Leadership team for discussion and planning.
 Each aspect of the research could lead to direct actions to
improve the Wellbeing of the school and its Community.
 The PSE programme of study can be tailor made to meet
the needs of the survey. These needs could change
biennially depending on the data from the survey.
 The research data can be an excellent point of reference for
external bodies such as ESTYN, Healthy schools and
supporting agencies.
Use of data for self-evaluation of current
wellbeing initiatives
Breakfast
 There has been concern in the past that pupils were coming
to school with no breakfast.
 The school received funding from the CYP grant for a
breakfast club. This has been running for three years and
feeds over 100 children every day.
 The school provides a pre examination breakfast for all
pupils during exam season together with an early revision
session. The school feels that is a contributory factor to the
increase in standards.
 Future data will allow us to evaluate the impact of these.
Use of data for self-evaluation of current
wellbeing initiatives (continued)
Sexual Health
 SRE delivery has been shaped by the pupils for the pupils.
This included developing an on site Sexual Health Clinic
incorporating advice and guidance as well as the Condom
Card Scheme supported by Public Health Wales.
 The PSE programme was redesigned using external agency
delivery.
 The staff and pupils have formed a PLC with partner
primary schools to design a scheme of learning from
nursery to Year 11 in the secondary school.
 Future use of SRE data could help evaluate these initiatives.
Actions taken as a response to the data
 An increase of the sales of fruit by the school council
every break time. Fruity Friday a huge success.
 A safety squad set up to identify safe zones that are
colour coded for all pupils.
 A monthly meeting with the catering manager and
representatives from the school council to discuss
healthy meal choices.
 Active involvement by the school community
including Communities First in tackling poverty. The
school now has its own food bank.
 A cooking club developed for parents and pupils after
school.
Actions taken as a response to the data
-continued
Smoking
 The survey indicated that a number of older children
were smoking outside school.
 A smoking cessation group was formed involving our
school based youth workers and pupils. The group
meet regularly and the support given has reduced the
numbers of smokers.
 With the support from the local police and the youth
service substance misuse has been tackled with a new
approach involving supporting agencies and families.
Wellbeing
The journey of school
improvement – Everyone on board
the Healthy School Bus!!!!