Pen-y-Dre High School, Merthyr Tydfil
RAISE has been attributed with having contributed to the school’s excellent recent inspection report:
“This is an inclusive school that places equally high value on the personal and academic achievements of all learners. The school provides exceptional choice that is tailored well to individual needs and aspirations.”
“The success of the nurture group and Ymlaen programme, for pupils at risk of disaffection, has resulted in improved attendance, accredited qualifications, reduced fixed-term and permanent exclusions as well as significant improvements in pupils’ social skills and self-esteem.”
ESTYN March 2009
Statement from Ken O’Shea
Deputy Headteacher
RAISE has contributed greatly to the improved provision for disadvantaged learners from Years 7 – 11 since its introduction. It has assisted Pen-y-Dre High School in raising attainment levels of disadvantaged learners by:
- Helping to establish Learning Base and Nurture groups at KS3
- Assisting in the provision of an alternative curriculum for disaffected learners at KS4
- Subsidising course fees to Years 10 and 11 College and NLC link courses
- Subsidising delivery costs of our BTEC (Level 2) courses in school
- Subsidising delivery of our Key Skill programmes of study throughout the school.
Without the support from the RAISE grant the disadvantaged learners of Pen-y-Dre would not have been as successful in the level of attainment as they have been over the last three years with 5+ A*-C at GCSE or equivalent being at 49% in 2008 and 0% of learners leaving with no qualification.
