Headteacher's Welcome
A warm welcome to Bedwas High School.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the interest you have shown in Bedwas High School. I trust that you will find the information on our website informative and that you are able to gain a real sense of what makes our school special and how we strive to keep our core values at the heart of all we do. We are committed to providing an outstanding education and we are passionate about the potential of every student and every member of staff. The Governors and a strong, highly committed staff team have very high expectations and work hard to provide the best opportunities for our young people; this translates into positive outcomes for our students as reflected by different performance indicators.
We stand by our tradition of ‘caring and achieving’ with the aim that each individual young person has every opportunity to develop the skills, competencies and personal qualities to help them make the most of their lives and to contribute to their society. In return, our school aims to provide high-quality educational experiences, not only academically but to support their social, moral and spiritual development equally. Our school campus is a happy, stimulating and safe environment and we are extremely proud of our students' involvement in a whole range of activities including sport, performing arts, languages, science, technology, community and charitable work.
Our Sixth Form offers a wide range of subjects as well as extra-curricular opportunities, careers information, education and guidance, academic and pastoral support which prepare students comprehensively for their next stage in learning. We support all of our students, including Oxbridge candidates, Russell Group university candidates and applicants for highly regarded apprenticeships, in ensuring they successfully meet the criteria for the next stage in their academic careers.
We are always keen to meet with people and invite comments about our work. It is very pleasing that the common conclusions are that we are a very caring school that strives to ensure that all students have the skills and support to pursue an enjoyable and successful adult life. The quality of our relationships with pupils and their parents/carers is important to us and I look forward to welcoming you as part of our community. All of this reflects the fact that children enjoy their time at Bedwas High School.
I feel exceptionally proud to be the Headteacher of Bedwas High School. We believe that you will be impressed by the experiences we can offer your child, and I would urge you to visit us at Bedwas High to find out more.
Stephen Diehl
Headteacher
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Dear Parent/Carer
At Bedwas High School we strive to be an inclusive school community where we use the power of learning and teaching to develop confident, happy, resilient and independent learners. In our safe, secure and nurturing learning environment everyone is valued equally, regardless of difference and disadvantage. Positive relationships ensure that, by working together, we raise aspirations, realise our potential and secure our future.
In order to take full advantage of the opportunities on offer and ensure pupils are successful, they should attend school regularly, at least 95% of the time, and be on time every day unless the reason for absence is unavoidable.
The Welsh Government has reintroduced Fixed Penalty Notices. Under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996, the Local Authority has the power to issue parents/carers with a Fixed Penalty Notice for each of their child/children, who fail to attend school regularly.
Working within a code of Conduct the Local authority can issue Fixed Penalty Notices to parents/carers if their child/children misses a number of sessions without permission. The criteria are:
● At least 10 sessions (5 school days) are lost due to unauthorised absence during a rolling 12 week period. These do not need to be consecutive;
● Unauthorised absences that include 10 consecutive sessions (5 school days) due to leave of absence/holiday taken in term time or delayed return from an agreed holiday without a reasonable explanation;
● Persistent late arrival at school, i.e. after the register has closed, during a rolling 12 week period. “Persistent” means at least 10 sessions of late arrival (absence code U);
● Circumstances where the parent or carer is judged capable of securing their child’s regular attendance or whereabouts but is not willing to take responsibility to do so, e.g. parent/carer is unwilling to sign a support plan or contract with the school and attendance is below an acceptable level (as set by the school) over an agreed period of time, without reasonable justification;
● Truancy, where the child has come to the attention of the Police or public during school hours for being absent from school without an acceptable reason.
You could receive a FPN of £60, if paid within 28 days of receipt of the notice, rising to £120 if paid after 28 days but within 42 days of receipt of the notice.
We aim to promote, encourage and instil good habits of punctuality and attendance in all our pupils. Whole week attendance benefits from our class charts rewards system, attendance target weeks and half termly rewards will be given as an incentive to encourage these positive habits and ensure greater value is placed on attendance being the key factor to pupils achieving their full potential and success.
The most convenient way to track your child’s attendance is through their planner, as this is recorded on a weekly basis. You can report any absence from school by contacting the school attendance number. If you would like to discuss issues relating to your child’s attendance please contact our attendance and wellbeing team in the first instance.
Yours sincerely
The Wellbeing and Attendance Team
To view our Governing Body Report to Parents please download the attachment below. A paper copy is available from the school on request.
Applications are invited to join our Governing Body as a Parent Governor. For more information and application, please see the forms below.
Parent Governor Form- Oct 2022.doc
Parent Governor Letter Oct 22.pdf
Free School Meals arrangements – October Half Term
As you are no doubt aware due to the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis and the pressure this puts on low-income families during the school holidays, Welsh Government have decided to extend the holiday provision offer for those learners who receive free school meals up until the end of February half term 2023 (this will include school holidays in October, December 2022 and February 2023).
Caerphilly County Borough Council will no longer be delivering free school meals to pupils homes during school holidays.
A weekly payment of £19.50 per child (£3.90 per day) will be made to eligible parents / guardians.
The Council’s Catering Service are currently working in partnership with the Post Office to deliver this payment.
Parents will receive correspondence from the Post Office by Friday 4th November with further information about how to claim this payment.
