Teachers are key to success (From Penarth Times)

Teachers are key to success

EVENLODE Primary School is a happy place which enjoys good results and hardworking staff and pupils.

The establishment, on Evenlode Avenue, opened in 1969 as the first open plan primary school in south east Wales.

The school caters for 460 children aged from four to 11, with 11 junior and six infant classes. Classes are named after trees found in the school grounds, such as the acorns, the hollies and the sycamores.

As well as headteacher Alun Jenkins, there are 17 class teachers, a special needs teacher, and five teachers' aids.

The school's catchment area runs from Victoria Road right down to Cosmeston Drive, and it is a feeder school for Stanwell Comprehensive nearby.

According to Mr Jenkins, the school is bottom among all the Vale's schools in terms of funding per pupil.

He said: "This is compounded when you consider that the Vale is 21st out of the 22 local authorities in Wales in terms of funding.

"However, having said that, because of the popularity of the school in terms of large numbers on the roll, the children have not suffered, and one would have to say that the school is well resourced."

And much of this success against the odds is due to the teachers at the school.

He said: "There are a few main attractions to Evenlode, for one, Stanwell is the school we are feeder to. Secondly, we had a very good inspection in 1997.

"But the most important reason is because I've got a fantastic team of teachers."

One sign of the popularity of the school is that hardly a school holiday over the last four or five years has gone by without a new building or extension being built.

In terms of exams, the results of standardised tests and national tests are outstanding, and are significantly higher than the national average.

Mr Jenkins said: "This is testimony largely to the work of a dedicated hard-working team of teachers who bring out the best in each individual.

"The educative process is further enhanced by a host of extra curricular activities which are offered to pupils, which helps to stimulate a young healthy mind."

The school offers pupils a variety of after-school clubs and also a breakfast club, formed in 1994.

The breakfast club means many parents, for example those who work, can drop their children off at 7.45am, knowing they will get fed and looked after. Some children attend on just a couple of mornings a week, while some attend everyday.

Breakfast is served shortly after arrival and children are then able to play with a variety of activities including board games, construction toys, the 'Geosafari' and craft activities. The club costs up to £2.25 per session.

There are many after school clubs which are very popular with pupils. Included are folk dancing, a gardening club, netball, lacrosse, football, rugby and The Pond Club (environmental).

For more information on Evenlode Primary School, phone 2070 2168 or email EvenlodePS@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or visit the website at www.evenlode-penarth.fsnet.co.uk