Schools set high standard (From Penarth Times)

Schools set high standard

FOUR Penarth schools have received awards to recognise their achievements in raising numeracy and literacy standards.

St Cyres Comprehensive School, Ysgol Gymraeg Pen y Garth, Ashgrove School and Cogan Primary were all rewarded for their hard work at a presentation event at Cottrell Park in Barry.

Schools attaining the Basic Skills Quality Mark in the past year were presented with plaques and certificates by Basic Skills Agency Director Alan Wells.

And pupils from Colcot (Barry), Llansannor Church in Wales and St Illtyd (Llantwit Major) Primary entertained with songs, poetry and drama.

During his visit to the Vale, which included the presentation event, Mr Wells called in at Barry Comprehensive, Oak Field Primary, Barry, and Peterston-super-Ely Church in Wales Primary where he spoke to staff and pupils about their work.

The BSA is committed to helping to improve standards of basic skills - the ability to read, write and speak, and use mathematics, at a level necessary to progress at work and in society.

Mr Wells said:

"Without good communication and numeracy skills, people are severely disadvantaged.

"Children find it difficult to take advantage of the wider curriculum and soon feel a sense of frustration and failure.

"As they get older, their self-confidence lessens and they often feel a real sense of stigma.

"The Quality Mark provides a framework for self evaluation and continuous improvement of the basic skills of all the pupils in a school, including those who underachieve and those whose attainment is lower than would be expected of someone of their age."