SCHOOLS across Barry have recorded big successes in the latest school categorisation bandings from the Welsh Government.

The Welsh Government’s National School Categorisation System, introduced in 2014, places schools into one of four colour-coded categories – green, yellow, amber, and red – to demonstrate the level of support they need.

Red-scoring schools require the most, and green scoring schools the least.

In terms of the town’s secondary schools, Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg, Whitmore High School, formerly the all-boy Barry Comprehensive School, and St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School, all got a ‘yellow’ rating.

But Pencoedtre High School, formerly Bryn Hafren Comprehensive, was given an ‘amber’ rating.

For primary schools in the area, ‘green’ ratings were awarded to Barry Island Primary School, Jenner Park, Palmerston, Sully, and St Athan primaries.

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg, Sant Baruc, Sant Curig, Gwaun y Nant also shared a ‘green’ rating alongside Cadoxton, Romilly and All Saints CW primary schools.

Oak Field Primary and Nursery also joined them in achieving the top ‘green’ band.

The Gibbonsdown school was threatened with closure in 2013.

Oak Field Primary School head teacher Ian Williams said he was delighted with the school’s continued ‘green’ rating.

“I have to give full credit to our tremendously supportive school community,” he said.

“The pupils, families, and all the staff are working together to help the pupils achieve their best.”

Yellow ratings have been given to Gladstone, High Street, Holton, Rhws County, Gwenfo C/W and St Helen’s Catholic Primary schools.

The Welsh Government cabinet secretary for education, Kirsty Williams, said: “I’m pleased to see that even more of our schools are now in the green and yellow categories, continuing on with the upward trend we have seen over the past few years.

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesman said: “This Welsh Government assessment once again reflects positively on Vale schools.

“We have none in the lowest band and all but two in the top two bands.

“Though the results are encouraging, it is important to note this categorisation is not a classification of a school but rather demonstrates how much additional support it receives,” she said.