22 October 2008
On Friday 17th October the Children's Commissioner for Wales, Mr Keith Towler, visited Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School as part of his nation wide tour of Wales where he officially opened the Social inclusion facility at the school.
The Social Inclusion Facility at Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School is a multi- disciplinary child centred support facility that is equipped with skills and knowledge that will enable and empower children to learn, change and manage their lives more constructively.
The Unit has developed a service that allows children to enter a facility that offers a solid foundation enabling them to be fit to learn through demonstrating and communicating trust, respect, confidentiality, safety and support. The service provides an on going holistic assessment coupled with flexible and preventative resources that respond to the individual needs of the child.
Following the recent HMI Inspection it was reported in the final document "Recorded incidents of misbehaviour have reduced by over 25% compared with the same period last year." A reduction of 80% in fixed term exclusions over the same period has also been seen. The report also stated "the Social Inclusion Facility has been instrumental in this process."
The facility can also be utilised by parents and visiting professionals to provide a holistic approach, and give a greater continuity of care to the pupils who attend our groups.
The commissioner was welcomed by Mr John Kendall, Acting Head teacher & Mrs Tina Crooker, the Manager of the Social Inclusion Unit. The school choir performed for the commissioner in the unit, where he also met some of the pupils before having a tour of the school.
The visit was also filmed to be included in a documentary on the work of the Commissioner, to be shown on BBC Wales in January.
- Return to News