GLADSTONE Primary, in Barry, was built in 1906.

It is an impressive red brick Edwardian building overlooking Gladstone Road with magnificent views over Barry Docks and the Bristol Channel.

The school’s focus is to ensure academic attainment is as high as possible whilst ensuring all children feel safe and happy.

The school has a huge focus on the well-being of all of our children and staff and it strives to ensure that all children have access to every part of school life regardless of where their starting points are.

In September 2019, Gladstone became the first school in Wales and the seventh in Wales to be awarded the status of a Trauma Informed and Mental Health aware school.

Head teacher, Caroline Newman said: “This recognises the commitment that the staff places upon good mental health for theme children and for themselves.

“It recognises the extremely comprehensive support that the school gives all children in whatever capacity they need.

“The school offers numerous strategies and interventions including a wellbeing telephone number for parents to call, numerous therapeutic approaches and a general commitment to building good relationships.

“We have seven members of staff who have qualified as trauma informed practitioners who have enhanced skills and an enhanced understanding of how to support our children, staff and parents.

“As a further commitment there are a further five staff completing the same qualification.”

“To help our children develop relationships and have a love of school, all staff become involved - from the meet and greet with a smile in the mornings, the school dog spreading happiness in the corridors and classrooms to our caretaker, Mr Clode working with groups of children building bike racks, muddy kitchens and general maintenance around the school,” Mrs Newman said.

“Beanie, the school dog, joined our school in 2018 as a six-month old puppy.

“She spends her day being cuddled and loved by all the children in Gladstone.

“She has an incredible calming presence within the school and works hard to support all children, especially those who may shed a few tears or have a few difficult moments during the day.”

Gladstone was one of the first schools to join the Vale of Glamorgan Healthy Schools Network - joining in 2001.

It has achieved (and renewed three times) the National Quality Award for Healthy Schools which recognises its commitment to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle at Gladstone.

Each morning the junior children take part in a Half Wower where they choose from a variety of physical activities including football, cheerleading, skipping, and playground games.

Gladstone has also been an eco school for 14 years and again has been awarded the prestigious Platinum Award which has been renewed five years in a row.

Its eco motto is Go Green at Gladstone.

Mrs Newman said: “We actively promote the UNCRC – United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child – and believe that every child should be listened to and has the right to have an input into what happens in our school.

“Every child in Key Stage 2 is a member of one of our nine school councils – healthy schools, eco, equalities, active lifestyles, wellbeing, remarkable reading, the great outdoors, enterprise & fundraising and values.

“Each council nominates a chairman or chairwoman and vice chairwoman or chairman and these children make up our Gladstone Senedd, meeting termly to discuss progress on actions carried out during the year.

The chairwoman and vice chairwoman of our Senedd – Lizzie and Mia – are also our Gladstone super ambassadors who promote the work of Sally Holland, the children’s commissioner for Wales and carry out a special mission each term.

She added: “We have a Friends of Gladstone School committee made up of staff and parents who are already proactive in raising much needed funds for new outside equipment.

“Our Gladstone families are always extremely supportive and generous with their time and money when raising funds for school and wider charities such as the Vale Foodbank, Children in Need and Finn’s Foundation – a charity very close to our heart.

“Each year we hold our own Gladstone Race for Life in the school grounds raising money for Cancer Research Wales.”

“The atmosphere in our school is extremely warm and welcoming,” she said.

“We have extremely strong relationships between staff and children and we all love to laugh and have fun.

“Expectations for learning are high but expectations for enjoyment are even higher.

“Our school is fantastic because everyone in our school community cares and tries so hard to support each other.

“All staff in the school try to understand and relate to all children which makes our school such a happy and safe place.

“Our whole ethos gives the school such a warm feeling when you walk through the doors and we like to think that everyone who comes here is made to feel welcomed.”

PANEL

Factfile

School motto: Together Everyone Achieves More

Chairman or chairwoman of governors: Mr Jon Trew

Head teacher: Mrs Caroline Newman

Number of pupils: 443

Age of pupils: Three to 11 years

Last inspection: (year and rating): January 2018; rated good in all five areas