The Bridge Alternative Provision “step by step always forward – Cam wrth gam, ond bob amser ymlaen”
Latest News
Regular updates and news can be found here! Also check out our "gallery" page.
-
Dosbarth heulog
Sun 25 Oct 2020Tremors
This half term Dosbarth heulog will be learning to:
English: Develop writing skills writing diary entries, newspaper reports and historical recounts. The pupils will be debating what makes an event a natural disaster exploring some of the historical myths about the origins of earthquakes and volcanoes and considering whether they could be based in fact.
Maths: Pupils will develop their understanding of compass points and direction, moving onto using coordinates to plot location. Pupils will learn to recognise 3D shapes and identify the nets of these shapes. Pupils will also explore patterns in number learning to identify the sequence and explain the rule.
Science: Pupils will dive deep to understand the different layers that make up our planet and understand how these layers can contribute to natural disasters. Pupils will conduct simple experiments to develop their scientific skills. Pupils will learn that the rocks of our planet are from three broad groups.
Geography: Pupils will study maps to understand where and why volcanoes form. They will consider the natural benefits of volcanoes as well as the negative impacts.
History: Pupils will learn of the impact of the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius and the lessons that were learned from this event.
Social skills and well-being will continue to be developed based on individual need.
-
Letter from the Director
Mon 05 Oct 2020Dear parent/carer
I would like to take this opportunity to write to you all to thank you for everything you have done to support your child’s learning since March and, more recently, since schools reopened in September.
I would also like to provide an update in respect of a range of issues that are currently affecting schools, parents/carers and learners. I am sorry that this a long letter but I thought it would be helpful to provide you all with a comprehensive update at this time.
This note covers the following issues:
- Use of face coverings by pupils using home-to-school transport
- Use of face coverings by pupils in schools
- Parents/carers communicating with schools
- Self-isolation
- School ‘bubble’ arrangements
- Free school breakfast provision
- Social distancing
- Pupil behaviour
- Attendance at school while showing symptoms
- Parking outside/on school premises
Use of face coverings by pupils using home-to-school transport
I would be grateful if parents/carers could ensure that any child of secondary school age using local authority provided school transport wears a suitable face covering. This requirement does not apply to pupils with additional learning needs or relevant medical conditions which constitute an exemption. This requirement does not apply to primary school-age pupils.
Schools have sufficient quantities to provide each pupil with face coverings. These can be washed at least 50 times. If your child has not received face coverings, I would encourage you to contact your child’s school.
A pupil who is not exempt from wearing a face covering, but who refuses to wear one, or removes the covering while on board school transport, may be refused onward travel and have their entitlement to free transport removed.
Therefore, please make every effort to ensure your child adheres to this requirement.
Use of face coverings by pupils in schools
Any child of secondary school age is recommended to wear a suitable face covering in communal areas in schools including corridors, halls and toilets. This requirement does not apply to pupils with additional learning needs, relevant medical conditions which constitute an exemption, or to pupils with disabilities. This requirement does not apply to primary school-age pupils.
Individual schools are responsible for identifying these communal areas and parents/carers are therefore advised to ensure that their child is following the requirements in place in each school.
Parents/carers communicating with schools
If your child receives a positive test for COVID-19, it is important that you contact your child’s school and notify them immediately.
Schools need to identify contacts of positive cases as soon as possible to reduce the risk of further infection and this information is not always passed to schools in a timely fashion by the ‘Test, Trace, Protect’ Service’, so your support in informing the school if your child is tested positive would be greatly appreciated.
Similarly, it is important to note that local authorities have a duty, under the Health Service (Control of Patient Information) Regulations 2002 to support the management of the COVID-19 outbreak by processing and sharing information with bodies engaged in disease surveillance in order to protect public health, provide healthcare services to the public, monitoring and managing the COVID-19 outbreak.
Self-isolation
If your child is asked to self-isolate by their school, this is following an assessment approved by Public Health Wales and therefore needs to be strictly adhered to.
Self-isolation means that the person does not leave the home and that no one who is not part of the household enters that premises.
I must remind you that sanctions can be imposed on any individual found not to be adhering to self-isolation rules by enforcement agencies.
If a pupil is in school when they are identified as a contact of a positive case of COVID-19 (either another pupil or staff member), you will be contacted immediately by the school to arrange for the collection of your child. It is therefore recommended that you make the necessary arrangements in advance in case of this eventuality. Even if your child is eligible for free home-to-school transport, guidance from Welsh Government is that this should not be used in such a situation. Only in exceptional circumstances will the local authority be able to transport pupils home from school if they are required to self-isolate.
School ‘bubble’ arrangements and self-isolation directives
Schools are working hard to reduce the chances of COVID-19 spreading. In order to restrict the number of contacts, pupils are being kept with their own year groups and/or classes to form a ‘bubble’ which will be kept apart from other ‘bubbles’.
Maintaining distinct groups or bubbles that do not mix makes it quicker and easier in the event of a positive case to identify those who are close contacts and may need to self-isolate and keep that number as small as possible.
In the event of a positive test being confirmed, those who have had close contact with the case are required to self-isolate in line with national guidance, for 14 days after their last known contact with the positive case. This could involve the whole bubble. This is to prevent further transmission of the virus; ensuring that if pupils (or staff) are carrying the virus (even without symptoms), they do not come into contact with others and potentially spread the virus further.
Free school breakfast provision
The safety of pupils and staff is of the utmost consideration at this time and all primary schools are revising their risk assessments to determine at what point it will be safe to reopen their free breakfast provision. While all schools have made changes to the physical layout and their operational arrangements to ensure their school is as safe an environment as possible, some schools are unable to open their free breakfast provision at this time.
Therefore, while the local authority and schools acknowledge that breakfast provision is important, the reinstatement of breakfast provision at schools must not compromise the safety of schools and increase the risk of the transmission of COVID-19.
Parents and carers are therefore asked for their support and patience while these arrangements are adapted to allow the reinstatement of free breakfast provision on a case-by-case basis, in each school.
Social distancing
All schools have undertaken risk assessments and follow Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidance relating to the management of COVID-19. While every effort is being made in and around each school, I would request your support in ensuring that we keep school communities safe. In this respect I would ask that you continue to follow all national and local guidance not only in and around the school, but at all times, including current local lockdown requirements.
This is important as we are aware that COVID-19 is circulating within the community and we must all play our part in making the school community as safe as possible.
Pupil behaviour
Please can I remind parents/carers that good pupil behaviour remains a priority within schools.
Schools will act appropriately should behaviour issues present and will use the necessary sanctions, including exclusions, should this be necessary.
Specifically, I would be grateful if parents/carers could remind their child(ren) that spitting will not be tolerated, as this clearly will increase the risk of transmission.
School attendance if your child is showing symptoms
If your child is unwell at home with any of the symptoms of COVID-19 listed below please do not send them to school. The main symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- a high temperature - chest or back feels hot to the touch;
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours; and/or
- a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – this means they cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.
If your child has any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:
- get a test to check if they have coronavirus as soon as possible; and
- stay at home and do not have visitors until you get the test result.
Please be sure to follow the self-isolation stay at home guidance from Welsh Government.
If, however, your child does not have symptoms of COVID-19 but has other cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, they do not need to be tested and they and you do not need to self-isolate.
Your child should attend school if fit to do so.
Parking outside/on school premises
Pick-up and drop-off times can be very busy around the school due to the numbers of children on site. Therefore, I would ask that parents/carers consider the safety of the children when driving and parking in the proximity of our schools. Inconsiderate driving and parking can present a significant risk to both pedestrians and other road users, and can result in complaints being received by the school from both residents and other parents alike.
It is important that when driving within the vicinity of any school, you do so with due care and attention and do not put others at risk, or inconvenience residents around schools. I would be grateful if you could ensure that you drive and park safely in appropriate areas, even if this means a longer walk to the school gates.
South Wales Police have recently identified significant numbers of pupils and their parents/carers gathering on narrow footpaths outside of schools, particularly at the beginning and end of the school day. These congregations can force other pedestrians into the road in order to maintain a two-metre distance. South Wales Police have identified this practice as unsafe. Parents/carers are therefore advised not to form congregations and to limit the time they spend in the proximity of schools.
I would want to reassure you that the local authority is working closely with the leadership of all schools in order for them to remain open in accordance with Welsh Government guidance. Senior leaders in all schools are working hard to ensure that the whole school community remains safe.
Risk assessments are regularly reviewed and are amended in light of the latest guidance received in order to minimise any risks. I appreciate that this is an anxious time for families and your co-operation is much appreciated.
Thank you, once again, for your ongoing support.
Yr eiddoch yn gywir/Yours sincerely
Lindsay Iorwerth Harvey (Mr)
Uned Cymorth Cyfarwyddiaeth Addysg a Chymorth i Deuluoedd (UCCACD)
Education and Family Support Directorate Support Unit (EDSU)
Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr
Bridgend County Borough CouncilFfôn/Phone: (01656) 642617
E-Bost/Email: edsu@bridgend.gov.uk
Gwefan/Website: www.bridgend.gov.uk
-
RIGHT OF THE MONTH and SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) focus
Sun 13 Sep 2020RIGHT OF THE MONTH and SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) focus
September
Article 28 – Right to an Education
SDG - 4 Quality Education
October
Article 4 – Rights are respected by Government
SDG - 10 Reduced inequalities
November
Article 38 – Right to be protected from war and conflict
SDG 1 No Poverty
December
Article 14 – Right to practice your own religion
SDG 3 Good health
January
Article 6 – Right to life
SDG 16 Justice and peace
February
Article 16 – Right to privacy
SDG 2 No hunger
March
Article 24 – Right to a name and nationality
SDG 8 Good jobs and economic growth
April
Article 24 - Right to clean water, health and food.
SDG 6 Clean water and sanitation
May
Article 13 - Right to freedom of expression
SDG 11 Sustainable cities and communities
June
Article 22 – Refugees have the same rights
SDG 13 Climate Action
July
Article 31 – Right to relax and play
SDG 17 Partnership for the goals
-
KS3 Topic September 2020
Sun 13 Sep 2020Hola Mexico!
Bienvenido a México! Welcome to Mexico!
Join us as we explore this very unique colourful country, rich in culture and full of mind blowing history!
The main focus of this topic will be geography and history with the development of English language skills throughout.
We shall learn all about the ancient civilizations of the Mayans and the Aztecs, the conquest of the Spaniards and finally how Mexico gained her independence.
Pupils will use maps, grid references and graphs to discover the very diverse landscapes and climates of this country.
In maths pupils will be using algebra skills to solve simple equations and identify sequences. They will represent and interpret data from a range of diagrams, timetables and graphs and there will the opportunity to develop their numerical reasoning through these skills.
In science we shall be learning all about light and sound learning all about the electromagnetic spectrum. We shall also be looking closely at the eye and ear and how they function.
In Art we shall be designing and making our own Lucha Libre masks.
Rights Respecting Schools
As well as covering the articles for the half term which are: -
Article 28 – Right to an Education
Article 4 – Rights are respected by Government
We can also look at the following rights for this topic:
Article 7 – Right to a name and nationality
Article 8 – The government should respect your right to a name, nationality and family
Article 14 – right to follow your own religion
-
Foundation Phase Topic
Sun 13 Sep 2020Foundation Phase
Our topic for this half term is superheroes. We will be exploring what makes someone a superhero. As most superheroes have super senses we will be testing our own senses using exciting experiments.
We will create our own superhero, making a fact file identifying their strength and powers. We will design and make our superhero using a range of materials. Pupils and staff will exercise regularly and participate in a range of physical challenges just like a superhero. Our wellbeing focus this term is staying safe and healthy, learning to recognise making good choices in school and at home.
Rights Respecting Schools
As well as covering the articles for the half term which are: -
Article 28 – Right to an Education
Article 4 – Rights are respected by Government
-
Free School Meals
Fri 24 Apr 2020Annwyl riant/gofalwr
O ddydd Mawrth 28 Ebrill 2020 ymlaen, bydd yr awdurdod lleol yn newid y ffordd y mae’n cynorthwyo disgyblion sy’n gymwys am brydau ysgol am ddim ac, yn lle paratoi pecyn cinio iddyn nhw, bydd yn danfon parsel bwyd i bara pum diwrnod. Bydd y parsel yn cael ei ddanfon naill ai ddydd Mawrth 28, dydd Mercher 29 neu ddydd Iau 30 Ebrill.
Os nad ydych chi, ar hyn o bryd, yn cymryd mantais o’ch hawl i gael pecyn cinio i’ch plentyn, dyma’n fras y trefniadau ar gyfer danfon y parseli (mae’n bosibl y bydd y trefniadau’n newid rhywfaint):
Dydd Mawrth 28 Ebrill 2020 – Y Gogledd
Cwmfelin, Garth, Llangynwyd, Maesteg, Nantyffyllon a Caerau
Nantymoel, Cwm Ogwr, Pantyrawel, Lewistown, Melin Ifan Ddu, Evanstown a Gilfach Goch
Blaengarw, Pontycymer, Llangeinor, Braich-y-Cymer, Price Town, Pantygog, Pontyrhyl ac Evanstown
Dydd Mercher 29 Ebrill 2020 – Canol/Gorllewin y Sir
Y Pîl, Mynyddcynffig, Cefn Cribwr, Gogledd Corneli, De Corneli, Notais, Newton a Phorthcawl
Abercynffig, Betws, Goetre-hen, Brynmenyn, Tondu, Sarn, Bryncethin, Bryncoch ac Ynysawdre
Dydd Iau 30 Ebrill 2020 – Tref/Dwyrain
Coety, Llidiard, Y Felin-wyllt, Pen-y-fai, Cefn Glas, Broadlands, Bryntirion, Bracla a Threlales
Penprysg, Pencoed, LLangrallo, Heol y Cyw a Rhiwceiliog
Sylwch ein bod yn bwriadu cwblhau’r trefniadau erbyn dydd Iau 30 Ebrill 2020. Cysylltwch â’r awdurdod lleol os na fyddwch wedi cael eich parsel erbyn 3.30pm ddydd Iau 30 Ebrill 2020 drwy ddefnyddio’r cyfeiriad e-bost hwn: fsmcovid19@bridgend.gov.uk
Llawer o ddiolch
Dear parent/carer
From Tuesday 28 April 2020, the local authority will change its support for pupils eligible for free school meals from a packed lunch, to a fully delivered five day food parcel. The parcel will either be delivered on Tuesday 28, Wednesday 29 or Thursday 30 April.
If you are not currently taking advantage of the packed lunch provision, as a guide, deliveries are planned as follows (but may be subject to some change):
Tuesday 28 April 2020 - North
Cwmfelin, Garth, Llangynwyd, Maesteg, Nantyffyllon & Caerau
Nantymoel, Ogmore Vale, Pantyrawel, Lewistown, Blackmill, Evanstown & Gilfach Goch
Blaengarw, Pontycymer, Llangeinor, Braich-Y-Cymer, Price Town, Pantygog, Pontyrhyl & Evanstown
Wednessday 29 April 2020 – Centre/West
Pyle, Kenfig Hill, Cefn Cribwr, North Cornelly, South Cornelly, Nottage, Newton & Porthcawl
Aberkenfig, Bettws, Coytrahen, Brynmenyn, Tondu, Sarn, Bryncethin, Bryncoch & Ynysawdre
Thursday 30 April 2020 – Town/East
Coity, Litchard, Wildmill, Penyfai, Cefn Glas, Broadlands, Bryntirion, Brackla & Trelales
Penprysg, Pencoed, Coychurch, Heol Y Cyw & Rhiwceiliog
Please note that all deliveries are scheduled to be complete by Thursday 30 April 2020. Please only contact the local authority if you have not received your delivery by 3.30pm on Thursday 30 April 2020 and only via the following email address: fsmcovid19@bridgend.gov.uk
Many thanks
-
April Update
Thu 23 Apr 2020We hope you and your families are keeping safe and well during these difficult times and managed to enjoy the Easter break.
We would like to remind you that you can still contact Charlotte and Lyndsey on their usual numbers. You can also email us via our admin email account which is admin.bridgealternativeprovision@bridgend.gov.uk
We would also like to remind you that teaching staff are now back on Google classroom. If you are having any issues with this or you need paper copies of work then you can either email the Admin email address or phone Lyndsey.
The local authority is proposing to change its approach to supporting pupils who are eligible for free school meals from the current sandwich provision to a delivered five day food hamper. For pupils with special dietary requirements eg vegetarian, a five day frozen meal option is available as an alternative. Please inform us if you wish to opt out of this scheme.
If there is anything we can do to help please do not hesitate to contact us.
-
The Bridge achieves Rights Respecting Gold Award
Fri 10 Jan 2020The Bridge is please to announce we have achieved Rights Respecting Schools Gold Award!
The assessor said about her day at the Bridge:
The assessor would like to thank the children, the Senior Leadership Team, staff and governors for their warm welcome to the school, for the opportunity to speak with adults and children during the assessment and for the detailed evidence provided to support the process. Prior to the assessment visit, the school completed a comprehensive School Evaluation: Gold form.
It was evident that children’s rights are embedded across the school and underpin every facet of school life.
Particular strengths of the school include:
The commitment to use the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC) to underpin the school vision to ensure the voice of the child is heard in school development and to underpin each child's personal educational journey within the school environment.
The imaginative use of drama, art and creative writing to encourage young people to understand and debate their rights and what it means to them.
The strong sense of children being at the centre of the school with the staff supporting their individual needs.
-
Investors in Families Award
Thu 05 Dec 2019We are very pleased to receive our inaugural Investors in Families award, Sapphire level.
This is an important part of our work with families to take a holistic approach to supporting our children and young people who range from 6 to 16 years old!We have a new Family Engagement Officer Lyndsey and she has already invited in and met all our parents and carers, held advice workshops for parents whose children have anxiety and run “reading cafe” for our primary phase pupils. She also holds a drop in every Friday morning in the cafe on the industrial estate for any parents who need to chat.
We look forward to continuing our journey in this important area. Check our parents section of the website for lots more information.
-
Visit to B-Leaf Bryngarw Country Park
Fri 29 Nov 2019B-Leaf is a work based initiative for adults with disabilities based within the beautiful Bryngarw Country Park. It operates as nursery and garden centre and provides an extensive training programme in horticulture and grounds maintenance. Trainees are supported by a team of dedicated staff who help them progress in whatever way they can to develop new skills, make new friends and ultimately lead more independent and fulfilled lives. You can buy a range of plants and flowers all year round from B-Leaf as well as summer pots (like those on our school campus) and hanging baskets!
Our pupils visit every year to decorate the tree planted 11 years ago by Mrs Roberts. We choose both traditional tinsel and baubles and some of the rights we enjoy here in Wales, in celebration of the 30th birthday of the UNCRC which gives every child, wherever they live, whoever they are! So happy birthday UNCRC and happy Christmas everyone else! 🎄
