17 Vale schools honoured (From Penarth Times)

17 Vale schools honoured

SEVENTEEN Vale of Glamorgan schools were honoured with the Basic Skills Quality Mark award at a recent presentation ceremony.

All of the primary, secondary and special schools that have achieved the accolade in recent months were presented with their certificates by Alan Wells, Director of the Basic Skills Agency.

The Basic Skills Agency is a national development agency funded mainly by central government and is committed to improving standards of basic literacy and numeracy skills in England and Wales.

The Quality Mark is awarded to schools that can demonstrate a commitment to continually improving the basic skills of all pupils, including those whose attainment is lower than would normally be expected of their age group.

As part of his visit to the Vale of Glamorgan, Alan Wells visited some of the schools in the Vale of Glamorgan who have recently achieved the Quality Mark, including Llantwit Major School and Ysgol Maes Dyfan, Barry.

Mr Wells watched children at work in their classrooms and chatted to staff and pupils about literacy and numeracy teaching.

He then attended an awards ceremony at Cottrell Park, Barry, where staff from all the schools who have attained the Quality Mark in the last year were presented with plaques and certificates.

Mr Wells was joined by Cllr Anthony Powell, the Vale of Glamorgan Council Chairman for 2003-4.

Entertainment at the ceremony was provided by pupils from Ysgol Gwaun Y Nant, Barry, who sang songs in Welsh, accompanied by their teacher Sara Gwilym.

Christine Chellingworth of Stanwell School, Penarth, (not pictured) also received the Quality Mark on behalf of her school.

Cllr Powell commented: "I am delighted to see so many Vale of Glamorgan schools achieving the Basic Skills Quality Mark.

"Teachers who are committed to improving children's literacy and numeracy skills are helping them to prepare for a brighter future.

"Without good communication and numeracy skills, children can become frustrated and feel that they are failures, and may find it difficult to find work after leaving school or tackle many of the tasks involved in being a citizen.