Progress towards Barry schools transformation to be published online

The results of the public consultation held in 2015 on proposals to reorganise three of the secondary schools in Barry showed clearly that there is support amongst parents and other key stakeholders for both the expansion of Ysgol Bro Morgannwg and the development of mixed-sex secondary schools to replace the single sex Barry Comprehensive School and Bryn Hafren Comprehensive School. This echoed the results of a previous consultation exercise undertaken in 2013 which also showed clear support for the principle of a move to mixed schooling in Barry. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The results of last year’s consultation also made clear that more work was needed to develop a plan for the expansion of Ysgol Bro Morgannwg and the creation of two new mixed-sex English medium schools that addressed the needs and concerns of all those that would be affected. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

This is why in January 2016 an advisory board was established. The Advisory Board is chaired by Councillor Chris Elmore, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Schools, and includes the Director of Learning and Skills and other senior managers from the Council, the headteachers and chairs of governors of the three schools, the Principal and Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale College and a range of professionals from across the education sector. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Board’s first priority has been to develop an engagement strategy that ensures the views of students, teachers, parents and governors would be at the centre of the development of any new proposals. This piece of work is now well underway. The board has now begun to consider other key issues such as pupil numbers, sixth form provision for the English-medium students, and how to make best use of the existing school sites. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

To ensure that all those who have an interest in the future of education in Barry are able to keep up to date with the work that is ongoing the board will issue a statement after each of its meetings. These statements will be available at www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk as well as on the individual school websites. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​