Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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/critical workers
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Dyddiad / Date: 25 January 2021
Dear Parent/Carer
I am sure you will appreciate that Bridgend has been significantly affected by the pandemic. With this in mind, we have had to restrict the eligibility criteria for on-site provision in our schools to limit the impact positive Covid-19 tests are having on staff, pupils and their families.
You will note from the guidance that, while local authorities must have regard for the Welsh Government’s critical worker list, it is for individual local authorities, based on their current situation to determine eligibility.
Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) currently identifies critical workers as:
We will continue to review the situation and inform parents/carers if a decision is made to revise Bridgend’s eligibility criteria.
It is hoped that employers will be able to support the local authority’s efforts to control the spread of the virus by demonstrating understanding and flexibility in their approach to the situation, working with their employees who are parents/carers to negotiate solutions to help manage this exceptional set of circumstances.
Please note that on-site, in-school provision is available to support those critical works who are required to attend their work site and should only be used where no one is working from home who can care for their child/children.
In order to secure an on-site place in a school for your child, it is expected that you can confirm that:
No one has tested COVID-19 positive in your child’s household including any support bubble.
No one in your child’s household including, any support bubble, is currently COVID-19 symptomatic or awaiting a test result.
To your best knowledge, has your child has not come into contact with anyone, including outside your household, who is COVID-19 positive, symptomatic or awaiting a test result.
Your child does not have a new continuous cough.
Your child does not have a fever or a high temperature.
Your child has not experienced a loss or change in their sense of smell or taste.
With my thanks for your ongoing support.
Yours sincerely
Lindsay Iorwerth Harvey (Mr)
Corporate Director – Education and Family Support
Bridgend County Borough Council
Monday 11th January 2021
Dear Parent/Carer
Happy New Year to you all. I sincerely hope that you have had an enjoyable Christmas break and that you and your families remain as safe and well as possible. Sadly a number of our school community have contracted Covid-19 recently, some of which are quite poorly and I am sure you will join with the YBC Family to wish them all get well wishes.
It was a very busy week in schools last week, with lots of changes from Welsh Government impacting on the provision in schools. However as per the letter from Mr Lindsay Harvey dated 05/01/2021 the position in Bridgend remains that Schools will remain open for children of critical workers (as determined by the local authority) and vulnerable learners.
The level of infection in Bridgend remains very high and as you are aware we have seen a high number of cases of coronavirus in Ysgol Bryn Castell in the Autumn term. Due to the high levels of infection which continue to circulate in the school, Ysgol Bryn Castell will continue to offer a distance learning package for all pupils as below.
Distance learning package
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ASD Distance Learning Package |
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KS2 and KS3 Distance Learning Package |
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14-19 Distance Learning Package |
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During this period the school will continue to offer the following support:
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Support offered |
Information |
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Work packs |
Work Packs are available on request through daily contacts. |
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Online learning through;
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User log-ins and passwords have been sent and can be requested through daily contacts.
NB Usernames and passwords are case sensitive |
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Daily communication with school staff [Monday to Friday in term time during school hours for pupils not receiving any provision] |
Daily communication with families via Teachers2Parents, Class Dojo, phone calls and/or e-mail |
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Telephone counselling offered by Mrs Joy Wilkins - School Counsellor |
Telephone counselling to be offered to Pupils and Parents/Carers
NB Please request during daily communication if you would like to access this |
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Telephone support for behaviour and families in crisis [Monday to Friday in term time during school hours] |
Please call YBC on 01656 815595 and leave a message and we will get back to you asap to offer support |
We recognise that this period of uncertainty can be very challenging and would continue to encourage Parents and Carers to develop some kind of routine so that your son/daughter has some structure during these very strange times. We also continue to recognise that placing high demands on pupils currently, could lead to conflict and challenging behaviour.
The school has unfortunately received notification today that Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has taken the decision to postpone all non-essential work for six weeks to support the considerable pressure that the health board is under. Therefore all school based immunisations which were arranged for January and February are to be postponed and rearranged for later on in the year.
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
Mrs Helen Ridout
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
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Dyddiad / Date: 5 January 2021
Dear Parent/Carer
You will be aware that Welsh Government has agreed that all schools in Wales should move to online learning only until 18 January.
Schools will remain open for children of critical workers (as determined by the local authority) and vulnerable learners, as well as for learners who need to complete essential examinations or assessments.
This means that on-site/in-school provision for vulnerable learners (up to and including pupils in Year 8) and the children of critical workers will continue between 6 and 8 January (inclusive), and 11 and 15 January (inclusive).
On-site provision for these pupils will be available during normal school opening hours only.
Your child’s school will contact you to provide further information regarding the on-site provision available to you this week.
I will provide a further update to parents/carers should the situation change.
With my thanks for your continuing support
Lindsay Iorwerth Harvey (Mr)
Corporate Director – Education and Family Support
Bridgend County Borough Council
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
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Dyddiad / Date: 5 Ionawr 2021
Annwyl Riant/Gofalwr
Fel y gwyddoch, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cytuno y dylai pob ysgol yng Nghymru ddysgu ar-lein yn unig tan 18 Ionawr.
Bydd ysgolion yn aros ar agor i blant gweithwyr allweddol (fel y’u pennir gan yr awdurdod lleol) a dysgwyr agored i niwed, yn ogystal â dysgwyr y mae angen iddynt gwblhau arholiadau neu asesiadau hanfodol.
Felly, bydd ddarpariaeth ar y safle/yn yr ysgol ar gyfer dysgwyr agored i niwed (hyd at, a chan gynnwys, disgyblion Blwyddyn 8) a phlant gweithwyr allweddol, yn parhau rhwng 6 ac 8 Ionawr (gan gynnwys y ddau ddyddiad), ac 11 a 15 Ionawr (gan gynnwys y ddau ddyddiad).
Bydd y ddarpariaeth ar y safle ar gyfer y disgyblion hyn ar gael yn ystod oriau agor arferol yr ysgol yn unig.
Bydd ysgol eich plentyn yn cysylltu â chi’n ddiweddarach yn yr wythnos i roi rhagor o wybodaeth am y ddarpariaeth ar fydd ar gael ar y safle.
Byddaf yn cysylltu â rhieni/gofalwyr eto os bydd y sefyllfa’n newid.
Gyda diolch i chi am eich cefnogaeth barhaus.
Lindsay Iorwerth Harvey (Mr)
Cyfarwyddwr Corfforaethol – Addysg a Chymorth i Deuluoedd
Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr
Deuluoedd (UCCACD)
Education and Family Support Directorate –
Directorate Support Unit (EDSU)
Deialu uniongyrchol / Direct line: 01656 642617
Ein cyf / Our ref: EDSU/ LH
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Dyddiad / Date: 17 December 2020
Dear Parent/Carer
As we approach the end of a difficult year, I know many of you will be keen to know what arrangements Bridgend schools will be putting in place for January 2021. I trust this letter will provide helpful information in respect of start-of-term arrangements in your child’s school.
All Bridgend schools will be using Monday 4 January and Tuesday 5 January to assess levels of available staff, review risk assessments and ensure the school is a safe environment for learners. This means that, on these two days, no learners will be in school. It also means that direct online learning opportunities will not be provided by individual schools for their pupils on 4 and 5 January.
On 6, 7 and 8 January, all Bridgend infant, junior, primary and special schools, with primary school age children, will be providing on-site support for the children of critical workers only.
In Bridgend, a critical worker is defined as someone who works for one of the following organisations:
Much in the same way as we have done this week (ie using the same eligibility criteria), critical workers are advised that, if your child is of a primary school age, on Monday 4 January, your child’s school will ask you to let them know if your child will be attending school on 6, 7 and 8 January.
This is necessary to allow the local authority to plan appropriate school meal and learner transport provision.
There is no on-site/in-school provision for the children of critical workers in any Bridgend secondary school on 6, 7 or 8 January.
Pupils who will be learning from home on 6, 7 and 8 January will receive online learning activities from their schools. Bridgend schools will not be providing ‘live’ lessons during this period.
From Monday 11 January, learners will start to return to school. Your child’s school will let you know how this will happen in January. It is my expectation that as many learners as possible are educated on-site, as quickly and as safely as possible during this week.
Thank you, once again, for your ongoing support and patience.
Take care – and have a safe Christmas
Yours sincerely
Lindsay Iorwerth Harvey (Mr)
Corporate Director – Education and Family Support
Bridgend County Borough Council
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
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Dyddiad / Date: 17 Rhagfyr 2020
Annwyl Riant/Gofalwr
Wrth inni nesáu at ddiwedd blwyddyn anodd, gwn y bydd llawer ohonoch yn awyddus i wybod pa drefniadau y bydd ysgolion Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr yn eu rhoi ar waith ar gyfer mis Ionawr 2021.
Gobeithio y bydd y llythyr hwn yn darparu gwybodaeth ddefnyddiol am y trefniadau ar gyfer dechrau'r tymor yn ysgol eich plentyn.
Bydd holl ysgolion Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr yn defnyddio dydd Llun 4 Ionawr a dydd Mawrth 5 Ionawr i asesu faint o staff sydd ar gael, adolygu asesiadau risg a sicrhau bod yr ysgol yn amgylchedd diogel i ddysgwyr.
Mae hyn yn golygu, ar y ddau ddiwrnod hyn, na fydd unrhyw ddysgwyr yn yr ysgol. Mae hefyd yn golygu na fydd cyfleoedd dysgu uniongyrchol ar-lein yn cael eu darparu gan ysgolion unigol ar gyfer eu disgyblion ar 4 a 5 Ionawr.
Ar 6, 7 ac 8 Ionawr, bydd yr holl ysgolion babanod, iau, cynradd ac arbennig ym Mhen-y-bont ar Ogwr, sydd â phlant oedran ysgol gynradd yn darparu cymorth ar y safle ar gyfer plant gweithwyr hanfodol yn unig.
Ym Mhen-y-bont ar Ogwr, diffinnir gweithiwr hanfodol fel rhywun sy'n gweithio i un o'r sefydliadau canlynol:
Yn yr un modd ag y maen nhw wedi'i wneud yr wythnos hon (h.y. gan ddefnyddio'r un meini prawf cymhwysedd), cynghorir gweithwyr hanfodol, os yw eich plentyn o oedran ysgol gynradd, ddydd Llun 4 Ionawr, bydd ysgol eich plentyn yn gofyn i chi roi gwybod iddyn nhw pa blant fydd yn mynychu'r ysgol ar 6, 7 ac 8 Ionawr.
Mae hyn yn angenrheidiol er mwyn caniatáu i'r awdurdod lleol gynllunio darpariaeth briodol ar gyfer prydau ysgol a chludiant i ddysgwyr.
Ni fydd unrhyw ddarpariaeth ar y safle/yn yr ysgol ar gyfer plant gweithwyr hanfodol mewn unrhyw ysgolion uwchradd ym Mhen-y-bont ar Ogwr ar 6, 7 ac 8 Ionawr.
Bydd disgyblion a fydd yn dysgu o gartref ar 6, 7 ac 8 Ionawr yn derbyn gweithgareddau dysgu ar-lein gan eu hysgolion. Ni fydd ysgolion Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr yn darparu gwersi 'byw' yn ystod y cyfnod hwn.
O ddydd Llun 11 Ionawr ymlaen, bydd y dysgwyr yn dechrau dychwelyd i'r ysgol. Bydd ysgol eich plentyn yn rhoi gwybod i chi sut y bydd hyn yn digwydd ym mis Ionawr. Rwy'n disgwyl i gynifer o ddysgwyr â phosibl gael eu haddysgu ar y safle, mor gyflym ac mor ddiogel â phosibl yn ystod yr wythnos hon.
Diolch, unwaith eto, am eich cymorth a'ch amynedd parhaus.
Cymerwch ofal – a mwynhewch Nadolig diogel.
Yn gywir
Lindsay Iorwerth Harvey (Mr)
Cyfarwyddwr Corfforaethol – Addysg a Chymorth i Deuluoedd
Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr
Tuesday 15th December 2020
Dear Parent/Carer
Further to the letter sent on behalf of Mr Lindsay Harvey (Corporate Director – Education and Family Support) last week and recent reports within the media, I am writing to confirm arrangements for teaching and learning on Thursday 17th and Friday 18th December 2020.
Due to the high levels of infection which continue to circulate in the school, Ysgol Bryn Castell will move to a distance learning package for all pupils on these days.
Distance learning package;
ASD Distance Learning Package
Daily drop-in session on TEAMS – times will be shared by your child’s pastoral team
Christmas activities and curriculum activities to be sent home (unless already received)
Daily welfare calls
Curriculum activities set on individual class TEAMS where work can be submitted
KS2 and KS3 Distance Learning Package
Daily drop-in session on TEAMS – times will be shared by your child’s pastoral team
Christmas activities and curriculum activities to be sent home (unless already received)
Daily contact with pupils via phone call or class dojo
Activities also loaded onto TEAMS for pupils to access digitally
14-19 Distance Learning Package
Scheduled sessions delivered on TEAMS – times will be shared by your child’s pastoral team
Curriculum and qualification-based activities to be sent home (unless already received)
Daily welfare calls
Curriculum activities set on TEAMS where work can be submitted
In-line with Welsh Government and Local Authority guidance the school has made contact with the Parents/Carers of all Primary-aged pupils who have confirmed that they support a full distance learning package. As such the school will be closed for pupils and staff on Thursday 17th and Friday 18th December. Parents/Carers who require support are able to contact the school on 01656 815595 and leave a voicemail which will be picked up at regular intervals throughout the school day or via their usual communication systems with pastoral teams.
We recognise that Ysgol Bryn Castell has received a significant number of positive case notifications in the Autumn term, with a high number occurring in the period from 25th November to now; this has had a significant impact upon the whole school community which has resulted in some very poorly people, some frustrated people and a lot of very frightened people. I can assure you that the school continues to work closely with Public Health Wales, the Local Authority and Welsh Government to prioritise the health and wellbeing of everyone in our school community; the Chair of Governors and I have recently written to the First Minister to ask Welsh Government to consider prioritising staff within Special Schools for vaccination and I will keep you informed of any responses we receive.
I sincerely hope that all members of our school community who are currently unwell make a full recovery and that you and your family enjoy a peaceful and relaxing Christmas and look forward to a more positive New Year in 2021, where we will continue to support each other and the school through these difficult times.
Thank you for your continued support
Nadolig Llawen!
Mrs Helen Ridout
Tuesday 15th December 2020
Dear Parent/Carer
I am writing to inform you that unfortunately there has been a new case of Coronavirus at YBC.
A member of the school community has been contacted by the NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect Service to inform them that they have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The school were informed of this yesterday evening and have taken the following steps to ensure the health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff;
The school has been coordinating the response to the overall situation over the last few days which has understandably caused high levels of concern at a time when we are trying to maintain a continuity in learning for our pupils and a festive spirit.
We appreciate that the situation may cause inconvenience however we can assure you that we will work tirelessly to try and maintain learning opportunities both in school and at home wherever possible for your children.
I hope that you and your family can continue to support each other and the school through these difficult times.
Thank you for your continued support
Sean Jenks
Sean Jenks
Deputy Headteacher
Friday 11th December 2020
Dear Parent/Carer
I am writing to inform you that unfortunately there has been a new case of Coronavirus at YBC.
Members of the school community have been contacted by the NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect Service to inform them that they have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The school were informed of this and have taken the following steps to ensure the health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff;
The school has been coordinating the response to the situation over the last few days which has understandably caused high levels of concern at a time when we are trying to maintain a continuity in learning for our pupils.
We appreciate that the situation may cause inconvenience however we can assure you that we will work tirelessly to try and maintain learning opportunities both in school and at home wherever possible for your children.
I hope that you and your family can continue to support each other and the school through these difficult times.
Thank you for your continued support
Sean Jenks
Sean Jenks
Deputy Headteacher
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
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Dyddiad / Date: 10 December 2020
Dear Parents/Carers
Yesterday, I wrote to all parents/carers in Bridgend to explain end-of-term arrangements in our schools.
This afternoon, local authorities in Wales were made aware of a clear recommendation by the Chief Medical Officer that all mainstream secondary schools should be closed to all learners (Year 7 to Year 13 inclusive), with the exception of the most vulnerable, from Monday 14 December.
The Chief Medical Officer’s directive does not currently apply to infant, junior, primary, and special schools, or pupil referral unit settings.
Therefore, the current end-of-term arrangements for Bridgend schools are as follows:
Due to the significant and growing increase in positive cases in schools, it is possible that further school closures may occur before next Wednesday. If this happens, further communication will be issued to parents/carers at that time.
I am grateful to parents and carers for their support, understanding and patience at this challenging time.
Yours sincerely
Lindsay Iorwerth Harvey (Mr)
Uned Cymorth Cyfarwyddiaeth Addysg a Chymorth i Deuluoedd (UCCACD)
Education and Family Support Directorate Support Unit (EDSU)
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