COLCOT SOTM

COLCOT Primary School in Barry was built in 1952 and consists of two main buildings.

The larger building comprises of the nursery, Year 2 and key stage 2 classes and the smaller building, known as Yr Ynys, is home to the Reception and Year 1 foundation phase pupils.

The classrooms and learning areas are attractive and stimulating spaces to work in.

Head teacher, Nia Cule said the school motto is a true reflection of the philosophy and ethos of the school - “Hand in hand we learn and achieve, nurturing excellence.”

She said: “It is important to all members of the school community that we are all committed to working together and having high expectations and aspirations for all our children.

“We all strive to ensure that our children receive the very best opportunities and care.

“Visitors to our school comment on the happy atmosphere and positive ethos that they feel when visiting, our children are polite and caring towards each other and staff provide exemplar role models.”

The last Estyn report in 2018 backed up the ethos saying it was a welcoming one that ensured pupils felt safe and secure.

The report said: “The school provides a welcoming and caring learning environment where staff treat all pupils equally and fairly.”

Mrs Cule said: “One of the key features and a strength of our school is the effort we make to ensure that we offer a fully inclusive experience where all pupils are able to access every activity and opportunity.

“Many of our children do not have the opportunities of being regularly taken to places of interest.

“This means we have to provide more first-hand experiences, educational visits and visitors to the school.”

The school plays a significant role within the community.

It provides donated food for the local foodbank and has held clothes bank sessions for parents and families.

It also works very closely with community partners to provide health related activities during its multi–sports days which always start with a community walk to school.

“Members of staff park their cars away from the school and walk in with children joining them along the way.

“The children then spend the day taking part in activities such as football, multi sports, aerobics, cricket and yoga.

These events are well supported by community groups such as Barry Town AFC and the Vale of Glamorgan sports development team.

The school has been heavily involved in the local community project in Margaret Avenue to help develop an area of unused land for the community to enjoy.

The children have designed the entrance sign, logo and have named the area which will be known as Everyone’s Garden.

At school the children also participate in mini-police, road safety and PSHE sessions with the community police officer.

The school also provides opportunities for adult learning with accredited courses run for parents in partnership with Families for Learning.

Mrs Cule said: “It is essential to us that we get this right and there are many opportunities for constructive engagement with parents and community partners.

“Taking time to help parents and carers and making everyone feel valued is key to our success in this area.”

“We celebrate learning and sharing experiences with our families in our family sessions.

“Parents and carers are invited in to share a morning or afternoon with their children.

“The activities planned are creative and varied and encourage adult participation.

“We have also recently introduced a grandparents’ session so that other family members can visit the school and enjoy the activities with their grandchildren.

“The turnout was fantastic and the feedback we received from the grandparents was brilliant.”

There are opportunities for pupils to lead their learning and help make decisions about the school.

There are four school councils with pupils from Year 2 to Year 6 representing their classmates.

These councils meet monthly and formulate and action plan for the year and they are led by staff members.

The councils also work alongside the local community.

One of the councils is the Criw Cymraeg who were instrumental in helping the school become the first in Barry to achieve the Siarter Iaith Award which is given to schools that use the Welsh language particularly well.

Mrs Cule added: “Colcot Primary’s success is firmly rooted in the excellent teaching and learning – the daily basics are done very, very well.

“However, underpinning all of this is the work that is done to enhance relationships at every level.

“Governors and staff work exceptionally hard to ensure that our children receive the highest level of care and learning experiences at our school.

“We have developed excellent relationships with our pupils and parents, and staff are always available to listen and support them. It really is a huge team effort and one that we are all very proud of.”

PANEL

FactFile

School motto: Hand in hand we learn and achieve, nurturing excellence (Tyfu a dysgu gyda’n gilydd)

Chairman of governors: Mr Martin Peplow

Head teacher: Mrs Nia Cule

Number of pupils: 325

Age of PUPILS: Three to 11-years-old

Last inspection: March 2018 - Good