Praise for Examination Results

Gwenda Thomas AM today commended the students of Neath Port Talbot College and YG Ystalyfera for their hard work over the last two years which has once again produced exceptionally high standards in A level and National Diploma qualifications.

‘There have been some outstanding results this year over the whole curriculum with many of our young people heading off to university and further education throughout the UK.’

‘I wish everyone well in their chosen path, be it in pursuit of a degree, apprenticeship or the world of work. I realise that there will be some young people who will be disappointed today but urge them to seek the advice of their teachers and lecturers who are well placed to help them make the next step.’

Mrs Thomas also thanked the dedication of the teachers, lecturers and staff.

‘The education of our young people is a vital role in our communities and I wish to thank and congratulate everyone involved in the process which has resulted in such a superb standard of results today.’

Gwenda Thomas, AM for Neath, will today be submitting a petition against the closure of YGGD Y Glyn to the petitions committee of the National Assembly for Wales.

Mrs Thomas said: “I am proud to offer my wholehearted support to the campaign to keep the school open.”

The petition was organised by local parent Mrs Anna Wright and presented to the AM by Daniel Wright and Cati Lloyd, both pupils at Y Glyn. Cllr. Arwyn Woolcock, the Councillor for Lower Brynamman, thanked Mrs Wright for her sterling work in collecting the signatures.

Cllr. Woolcock said: “The number of names on this petition shows the real strength of feeling in the village. People are proud of the school and recognise how valuable it is to their local community.”

At the meeting with Mrs Thomas Mrs Wright explained the reasons for her determination to keep the school from closing.

“From my own experience I would rather a community school to a ‘super-school’ any day.”

“Before he came to Y Glyn my son was shy and withdrawn; since he has been attending the school he has blossomed. The small size of Y Glyn allows it to foster a supportive and nurturing atmosphere that has been instrumental in boosting Daniel’s confidence.”

“This school offers so much more than just primary education. I’ve personally benefitted from a self esteem course and a ‘Restart Course’ focussed on helping parents get back into work. They also offer weekly family learning sessions for parents who want to learn Welsh alongside their children.”

“I and the many other parents who either don’t drive or don’t have access to a car would find it impossible to take up these opportunities for personal development if they were transferred to Gwaun Cae Gurwen.”

“When I arrived in Lower Brynamman I knew practically no-one here. It is through Y Glyn that I have made friends and come to feel part of village life.”

Neath Port Talbot Council is currently consulting on the proposal to close the school and transfer the pupils to Gwaun Cae Gurwen.

Mrs Thomas said: “Mrs Wright’s comments demonstrate how much Lower Brynamman will irrevocably lose if the Council presses ahead with its plans. I would encourage any parents or residents with similar stories to contact the Local Authority to express their views. I hope the Director of Education will listen to opinions of the villagers and actively consider all alternatives to closure.”

Press Release: AM WELCOMES SMALL CLASS SIZES IN NEATH SCHOOLS

NEATH Labour AM Gwenda Thomas has welcomed figures published today [Wednesday 28 November 2007] which show that schoolchildren in Neath continue to benefit from small class sizes.

Thanks to Welsh Labour’s record investment in education since the Assembly came into being in 1999 - the percentage of junior classes in Wales with over 30 pupils stands at only 3% of the total, compared with 25% in 1999. Only 1% of infant classes in Wales contain more than 30 pupils.

Neath Labour AM GWENDA THOMAS said:

"I am delighted that schools in my constituency and Neath Port Talbot Local Education Authority have continued to work to keep class sizes down so that virtually all infant and junior classes in my constituency have 30 pupils or under. Thanks to the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government's investment in our schools - smaller class sizes are benefiting our youngest children by giving them more teacher time and a better chance to improve their reading and numeric skills.

"And through the new and innovative 'Foundation Phase' for early years education this Labour-led Assembly Government is committed to giving the very youngest children the best possible start.

"The roll out of the new Foundation phase in our schools from September next year will offer a radical new learning experience for 3 – 7 year olds. International evidence reveals that children do better if they start formal education later on and that children are put off learning altogether if they are tested too early.

"It will move early years education away from a rigid desk and blackboard style of teaching and place an emphasis on learning through play.

"Active involvement and participation in learning improves children’s speaking and listening skills. Improving the personal and social skills of young children will encourage a more positive attitude towards learning throughout the rest of their school days and beyond.’’

Press Release: EXTRA BOOST OF EARLY YEARS EDUCATION IN NEATH

- AM welcomes funding boost for childcare and early years education

THE YOUNGEST children in Neath are set to benefit from the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government’s extra investment in early years education and childcare.

Neath Labour AM Gwenda Thomas has welcomed Welsh Labour Education Minister Jane Hutt’s announcement that £45 million extra has been set aside for the innovative new education scheme for all 3 – 7 year olds’ in Wales.

The 'Foundation Phase' is a new approach to teaching the youngest children based on learning through play, active involvement and practical activities. The extra £45 million will allow the roll out of the scheme across Neath Port Talbot from September next year.

Funds for the Flying Start childcare scheme will increase by £8 million over the next three years. Flying Start provides high quality free childcare for two year olds – and allows parents to save money and keep working – and the extra money will allow a 10% increase in the number of childcare places.

An additional £3m over the next three years will be made available to meet the requirements of the Childcare Act 2006, which comes into force in April 2008. This funding will enable local authorities to research and map the availability of childcare available to decide what interventions are necessary. In addition, an extra £4.2m will be ring-fenced for community focussed schools over three years for out-of-hours childcare.

Neath AM GWENDA THOMAS said:

"The education and welfare of our youngest children is one of Welsh Labour's main priorities. This extra money is going to give the youngest children in my constituency the flying start in life that they deserve.

"Extra money for childcare is going to make a real difference in the lives of local families. I am delighted that more children will benefit from this scheme and that local mums will be able to keep their jobs or go back to work without worrying about paying for quality childcare.

"The new Foundation phase will offer a radical new learning experience for 3 – 7 year olds. International evidence shows that children do better if they start formal education later on and that children are put off learning altogether if they are tested too early.

"Welsh Labour’s Foundation phase will move early years education away from a rigid desk and blackboard style of teaching and place an emphasis on learning through play, both inside and outside.

"Active involvement and participation in learning improves children’s speaking and listening skills. Improving the personal and social skills of young children will encourage a more positive attitude towards learning throughout the rest of their school days and beyond.

Press Release: HEALTHY SCHOOL MEALS ACTION PLAN

- Welsh Labour to target child obesity and unhealthy diets

MORE healthy food is on the menu in local schools thanks to the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government’s Action Plan to give schoolchildren a balanced and nutritious diet.

Neath AM Gwenda Thomas is backing Welsh Labour Education Minister Jane Hutt’s seven point action plan to improve food and nutrition in Neath's schools. The Appetite for Life Action Plan will see a £6.6 million investment in healthy school food across Wales over the next two years.

The seven point plan includes:

• Setting new nutrient, food and drink standards – including offering more fruit
• Improving catering staff training on healthy foods
• A school wide approach, involving pupils and staff and strengthening food education in the curriculum
• Raising awareness over healthy diets in schools
• Looking at sourcing healthy food locally
• Calculating the costs of a healthy school meal
• Establishing a regular review to monitor progress in delivering more healthy food

GWENDA THOMAS AM said:

‘’The Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government wants to see healthier food on offer in local schools. Improving the health of our children is one of the Assembly Government’s top priorities. All of us know the importance of a balanced diet and how essential it is to children and young people if they are to grow into healthy adults.

‘’That is why I am backing this action plan – we need higher standards of nutrition in school meals to improve children’s diets.

‘’This plan will look at the best way of delivering healthier school meals and improving the diets of our children. Training staff, strict health standards, using healthy local food sources and raising awareness about healthy foods are all essential in combating the problems of child obesity and poor diets.

‘’Good progress is already being made in some schools with the free healthy school breakfast scheme and an increase in the number of fruit tuck shops and water coolers on offer.

‘’I look forward to seeing these plans in action in schools across my constituency.’’

Press Release: NEW CURRICULUM FOR NEATH'S SCHOOLS ANNOUNCED

-WELSH LABOUR FOCUSES ON KEY SKILLS

Neath's schoolchildren are set to benefit from a new and improved learning experience thanks to the Labour led Welsh Assembly Government’s new school curriculum.

Neath's Labour AM Gwenda Thomas has welcomed the announcement by the Assembly Government's Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, Jane Hutt AM, that a distinctive Welsh curriculum for 3-19 year olds will be introduced in September 2008. It comes after four years of expert, public and local consultation.

The new curriculum will;

• Transform early years education through the Foundation Phase, 3 – 7 year olds will learn from interactive educational play inside and outside the classroom;
• Focus on developing children’s key skills in key subjects from the age of seven including communication, numeracy and information technology skills;
• Offer a full range of personal and social education to cover diet, health, sustainable living and active citizenship.

Gwenda Thomas AM said:

‘’I am delighted that once again Welsh Labour is taking the lead on transforming education for children in Neath.

‘’Welsh Labour is committed to meeting the aspirations of our young people and this new curriculum will equip our schoolchildren with the skills they will need later in life.

‘’This new education plan will transform early years education and will ensure that from the age of seven our children will be equipped with the personal, social and new technology skills they need for the twenty-first century.

‘’The Foundation phase will move early years education away from a rigid desk and blackboard style of teaching and will help young children to develop their speaking and listening skills.

‘’This new curriculum and Welsh Labour’s promise to end child poverty by 2020 proves that Welsh Labour has the ideas, vision and commitment to make sure every child in Neath reaches their full potential.’’