Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
ned Cymorth Cyfarwyddiaeth Addysg a Chymorth i Deuluoedd (UCCACD)
Education and Family Support Directorate –
Directorate Support Unit (EDSU)
Deialu uniongyrchol / Direct line: 01656 642617
Ein cyf / Our ref: EDSU
Eich cyf / Your ref:
Dyddiad / Date: 16 December 2021
Dear Parent/Carer
I would like to provide you with an update regarding how schools in Bridgend will operate following the Christmas break.
Earlier today, all schools in Wales were informed that the Minister for Education and Welsh Language will be providing schools with two planning days at the start of the new spring term. This will allow headteachers time to assess staffing capacity and put the necessary measures in place to support the return of learners. The two planning days will be held on Tuesday 4 January and Wednesday 5 January 2022.
It is important to note that there will be no on-site (ie in-school) provision for any pupil on 4 or 5 January. Similarly, schools will not be offering remote learning provision during these two days. At present, all pupils attending Bridgend schools will return to school on Thursday 6 January 2022. However, this position may change if circumstances (eg staffing capacity issues) dictate. Individual schools will update parents/carers in due course if arrangements change. Where necessary, secondary schools will prioritise pupils in examination classes.
Breakfast clubs, where applicable, are planned to recommence on Monday 10 January 2022. However, parents/cares are advised that this might change depending on staffing levels. Parents/carers with children eligible for free school meals will be provided with a digital payment voucher during the week commencing Monday 3 January 2022.
The local authority and schools readily acknowledge that this is a difficult time for all learners, especially those learners who are preparing for examinations. At present, there is no change to the January 2022 examination timetable. Schools will continue to provide support for all learners to ensure the learning environment is safe and learners’ emotional wellbeing is supported.
Welsh Government has confirmed that it expects all school staff and learners of secondary age and above to test three times a week (on Monday, Wednesday and Friday) using lateral flow devices in the week before returning to school and to then continue regularly testing three times a week after the start of term in January.
The wearing of face coverings will continue for secondary school pupils and all staff in all settings in all communal areas and classrooms where physical distancing cannot be maintained. However, there will be some learners and staff who are exempt from wearing face coverings.
Parents/carers are reminded that pupils are advised not come to school if they, or anyone in their household, have been tested positive for COVID-19 or is displaying any of the cardinal COVID-19 symptoms.
In conclusion, I would like to thank you all, once again, for the enormous support you have given your child’s school during such a challenging period.
I hope you all enjoy a peaceful Christmas and a happy new year.
Yours sincerely
Lindsay
Yours sincerely
Lindsay Iorwerth Harvey (Mr)
Corporate Director – Education and Family Support
Bridgend County Borough Council
Bridgend College have an open event evening (virtual) today (10/11/21) 4:30-6:30pm.
Link to register here - https://www1.bridgend.ac.uk/book-your-place/
Friday 3rd September 2021
Dear Parent/Carer
I sincerely hope you have all had a safe and enjoyable Summer holiday period and that pupils are looking forwards to returning to school. Ysgol Bryn Castell look forward to welcoming all pupils back to school from Monday 6th September at 10:00.
Welsh Government have confirmed that all of Wales is at alert level 0 which is positive news. Whilst the Local Authority and school continue to consider the recent guidance from Welsh Government, Ysgol Bryn Castell will continue to operate geographical zones which involves pupils and staff staying within discrete groups and areas of the school. Each geographical zone has separate entrance/exit points, with designated toilet facilities and timetabled use of outdoor areas which seeks to minimise the number of contacts whilst working towards maximising a broad and balanced curriculum for pupils. Pupils will be encouraged to undertake more frequent hand washing, hand sanitising and social distancing where possible.
In-line with Welsh Government and Local Authority guidance, the school are offering twice-weekly Lateral Flow Testing to pupils in Years 7 and above and to all staff. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss this in more detail.
Staff and pupils over 11 years old (who are able) are encouraged to wear a face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained, for example on dedicated local authority provided home-to-school transport and in some communal areas of the school. Pupils that are able to wear face coverings appropriately and independently are enabled to use personal preference if they wish to wear them.
Ysgol Bryn Castell’s priority continues to be the health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff and we will continue to act in the best interests of your children as we move forward, together. Thank you for your support, encouragement and feedback.
Stay safe and best wishes,
Mrs Helen Ridout
Friday 19th March 2021
Dear Parent/Carer
As per the letter sent on Tuesday 9th March, I am pleased to be writing to confirm that Ysgol Bryn Castell is able to offer full-time provision in-school for most pupils from Monday 22nd March 2021. Most pupils have settled well into school routines and have enjoyed being back on-site learning alongside their peers and school staff: it has been lovely to see their happy and smiley faces this week.
However, Ysgol Bryn Castell recognise that some members of the school community are finding the transition period to wider school reopening challenging and unsettling. Where this transition is proving to be too challenging for individual pupils, then the school will need to reconsider the number, frequency and timing of these sessions and for some pupils this may include the offer of alternative provision, including bespoke provision off-site and/or live streaming sessions with two staff, alongside a blended learning offer for pupils. School staff will be in touch with Parents/Carers to discuss further where appropriate.
Ysgol Bryn Castell continues to operate in geographical zones which involves pupils and staff staying within discrete groups and areas of the school. Each geographical zone has separate entrance/exit points, with designated toilet facilities and timetabled use of outdoor areas which minimises the number of contacts whilst working towards maximising a broad and balanced curriculum for pupils.
Ysgol Bryn Castell’s priority continues to be the health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff and we will continue to act in the best interests of your children as we move forward, together. Thank you for your support, encouragement and feedback.
Stay safe and best wishes,
Mrs Helen Ridout
Friday 5th March 2021
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welsh Government announced on Wednesday that all remaining primary school children and learners in qualifications years will return to onsite learning from 15th March, with the opportunity for schools to offer check-in opportunities for learners in Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10 and Year 12. [More pupils to have opportunity to return to schools before Easter | GOV.WALES ]. This will be alongside provision for children of critical Key Workers.
As per the letter sent to Parents/Carers in early February, Ysgol Bryn Castell has an inset day planned for Monday 15th March. This whole day training session is being delivered by an outside provider and therefore the school is unfortunately unable to change the date of that planned inset day.
School staff are currently working on plans for the reintegration of pupils from Tuesday 16th March onwards and we will share that information with you next week once clarification has been received from the Local Authority.
In preparation for the re-opening of the school we have updated our risk assessments, in-line with both Welsh Government and Local Authority guidance, to identify how we can best-manage and reduce potential risks in order to prioritise the safety, health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff. Our latest Risk Assessment can be found on our school website: COVID 19 - Coronavirus | Ysgol Bryn Castell
Our biggest priority remains as the health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff and we will continue to act in the best interests of your children as we move forward, together. Thank you for your support, encouragement and feedback.
Stay safe and best wishes,
Mrs Helen Ridout and all at Ysgol Bryn Castell
Uned Cymorth Cyfarwyddiaeth Addysg a Chymorth i Deuluoedd (UCCACD)
Education and Family Support Directorate –
Directorate Support Unit (EDSU)
Deialu uniongyrchol / Direct line: 01656 642617
Ein cyf / Our ref: EDSU/LH/KE
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Dyddiad / Date: 5 March 2021
Dear Parent/Carer
Further to the Minister for Education’s recent announcement, I am pleased to confirm that, from Monday 15 March, Bridgend schools (including The Bridge) will be providing on-site education for:
Secondary schools will also aim to provide:
From Monday 15 March, all Year 7 and Year 8 children of critical workers (as defined by Welsh Government) are eligible for on-site/in-school provision in Bridgend schools.
Should you require on-site provision for your child/ren (in Year 7 and Year 8) from Monday 15 March, I would be grateful if you could inform the school during usual communication with the school.
Parents/carers are advised that this facility should only be used where alternative childcare arrangements are unavailable.
Subject to medical/scientific advice, we hope to welcome all learners back to schools following the Easter break. Your child’s school will be in contact with you shortly to confirm arrangements. Each school’s plans will be guided by the school facilities, the sizes of year groups and their detailed risk assessments. Remote learning will continue to be provided for self-isolating learners and those year groups not accessing face-to-face learning in school.
All Covid-related risk assessments will be updated by schools to reflect current Welsh Government and local authority guidance on the phased return of learners to school.
All staff have the option of participating in twice-weekly lateral flow tests to keep everyone in the school community safe. There will be an opportunity for young people in Year 10 and above to also undertake twice-weekly lateral flow testing in the home context. Further information and detailed guidance on this will follow as soon as this is made available by Welsh Government.
Thank you, once again, for your continuing support and patience.
Lindsay Iorwerth Harvey (Mr)
Corporate Director – Education and Family Support
Bridgend County Borough Council
Monday 15th February 2021
Dear Parent/Carer
I am writing to wish you all a very happy, safe and peaceful half term break and to confirm that the current provision for on-site learning for vulnerable learners and children of critical key workers will continue after the half term holiday at Ysgol Bryn Castell. Ysgol Bryn Castell does not provide education for Foundation Phase pupils and as such there are no current changes to our provision. It is possible that there will be further announcements from Welsh Government on Friday 19th February and the school will consider those in due course.
Over the half term holidays, school staff will not be maintaining daily contact with Parents and Carers but telephone support for behaviour and families in crisis will be offered from Monday to Friday; please call 01656 815595 and leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible. A small number of our most vulnerable pupils will be offered individualised support from school staff over the holidays and all pupils are able to continue to access online materials though Purple mash, Spellodrome and Mathletics alongside fun activities on our website.
The school community have made a tremendous effort with the Around the World challenge and we have already completed 3,672 miles of our virtual journey which sees us almost in Pakistan. Half term is a great opportunity for you and your family to take part in physical activity - remember to track how many miles you complete so that we can continue to work together towards achieving a fantastic goal whilst improving our health and wellbeing.
In a time of uncertainty it is important to look after one another and ourselves and as a school we encourage you to reach out and seek support if you are finding things difficult.
Thank you for your continued support.
Stay safe and best wishes,
Mrs Helen Ridout
Friday 29th January
Dear Parent/Carer
Many of our school community enjoyed fun in the snow on Sunday and Monday but that also unfortunately meant that our school site was incredibly dangerous: the site is on the side of a hill and is west-facing so the low winter sun barely appears over the top of the campus on some days. This meant that despite our best efforts and the use of a snow plough and gritter, the site only became safe mid-morning on Tuesday once temperatures started to increase.
It has been a very busy time at school, with staff trying to balance on-site and off-site provision. Last week we were able to offer places for on-site provision to 52 pupils and over 87% of our learners are currently engaging in activities with the school including accessing work packs, participation in online sessions and through attending on-site provision. That all just goes to show what an amazing job you are all doing at home – thank you for your hard work and for supporting our special young people to engage with education as much as possible.
We recognise that this period of lockdown can be very challenging and would continue to encourage Parents and Carers to develop some kind of routine so that your son/daughter has structure during these very strange times. Our school priority remains focussed on the health and wellbeing of pupils, staff and the whole school community, and we recognise that placing high demands on pupils can lead to conflict and challenging behaviour. If there is something that would make a positive difference to you or your child and you have any suggestions or recommendations for the school to consider then feel free to share these with school staff during your regular communications or by contacting us on 01656 815595.
YBC are launching an Around the World Challenge next week, where we will be joining together to virtually travel around the world. You just need to track the physical activity of you and your family each week in miles (for example from walking, running, cycling) and then share those with class staff to add to the overall progress each week. We are hoping this will be a positive way to enable everyone to work together towards achieving a fantastic goal, whilst improving our fitness levels and health and wellbeing.
I sincerely hope that all members of our school community who are currently unwell make a full recovery and that you and your family remain as safe and well as presently possible.
Thank you for your continued support: together we can achieve!
Mrs Helen Ridout
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