School Prospectus 2009-2010 The School Day at Bro Myrddin This is how a day at Bro Myrddin is organised: 8.55 – 9.05 - Registration 9.05 – 9.20 - Assembly 9.20 – 10.20 - Lesson 1 10.20 – 10.35 - Break 10.35 – 11.35  - Lesson 2 11.35 – 12.35 - Lesson 3 12.35 – 1.35 - Lunch 1.35 – 1.40 - Registration 1.40 – 2.40 - Lesson 4 2.40 – 3.35 - Lesson 5

School Uniform Years 7- 11 Suppliers – Claire Adams Schoolwear,  Evans & Wilkins  & Owen Sports Girls Lilac blouse Official school tie Official school jumper with school badge woven into it; V-neck Plain black pencil style skirt with zip pocket and back pleat. Alternatively, black trousers of classical style as shown. Pupils who wear other styles will be asked to purchase the correct style or wear a skirt. Black thick tights/ 3/4socks (black/ white short socks optional in summer). Boys Lilac shirt Official school tie Official school jumper with school badge woven into it; V-neck Plain black trousers (No black jeans) Grey, black, navy socks Plain black shoes – trainers are not permitted Rain coat / Duffle coat / wax coat in plain dark colours such as black, navy grey, green, brown – bright multi-coloured coats are not acceptable. Plain black scarf White apron for Technology ALL POSSESSIONS SHOULD BE CLEARLY MARKED Jewellery – such as rings, bracelets, chains, brooches are not permitted. Earrings must be in the form of one small, gold, spherical stud in each ear. Any hair clips worn must conform with school colours – lilac, grey or black.

Pastoral Care Arrangements for the pastoral care of pupils are mainly in the hands of Heads of Years 7,8,9,10,11 and the Director and Assistant Director of Sixth Form Studies. Head of Year 7: Miss Rhiannon Hammond     Head of Year 8: Mrs. M. Jones Head of Year 9: Mr. P. Howells Head of Year 10/11: Mrs. E. Jones  Mr. C. James Head of Sixth Form Studies: Mr. T. Hayes Assistant Head of Sixth Form Studies: Mrs. L Davies There is a close liaison between Heads, class and subject teachers which enables close monitoring of each pupil. Parents are contacted immediately if problems arise.

Questions about the Curriculum YEARS 7, 8 & 9: KEY STAGE 3 How are the classes organised in Year 7? Usually there are five mixed ability classes in Year 7 but, if the number of pupils transferring from primary school is high, six classes will be formed. Every effort is made to keep friends together.  It is expected that each pupil carry a suitable reading book with him/her at all times. Do the classes change in Year 8 & 9? The classes stay as they are as a registration form throughout the school. The Head of Department will arrange the teaching groups in each subject according to the departmental policy. What kind of teaching methods are used? A wide range of teaching methods is used according to the needs of the subject and the specific group being taught. Investigative work, oral work, listening, information technology, as well as practical work are all used. Teachers will move from teaching the whole class to arranging group work at varying levels, giving attention to individuals of varying abilities. Which subjects are studied? Every pupil studies Welsh, English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Information Technology, French, Drama, History, Geography, Religious Education, Music, Art and Physical Education. In Year 7 & 8, Information Technology is taught in discrete lessons. In Year 9 it is taught across the curriculum. There is one lesson of Personal & Social Education per fortnight which includes units of work on health education and study skills.  What if a pupil has special needs? Pupils who find the basic elements of reading and counting difficult are given special teaching support. This is done on the basis of standardised tests and reports received from the officers of the LEA and the primary school head-teachers, as well as discussions with the parents. The Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO), Mrs M.I.Griffiths is responsible for planning and co-ordinating provision for pupils with special educational needs and organising the work of the support staff. Review meetings for statemented children take place annually with individual parents and the county support service during the summer term.

YEARS 10 & 11: KEY STAGE 4 What happens at the end of Year 9? Pupils choose subjects for Years 10 & 11. The same choices are available to boys and girls. Each pupil follows courses in the core subjects, which include Welsh, English, Mathematics and Science to external examination level. Each pupil also follows non-examination courses in Physical Education, and Personal and Social Education which includes Health & Sex Education, Careers and Work Experience. Every pupil also follows the GCSE short course in Religious Education. Parents can withdraw pupils from Religious Education lessons by writing to the Head-teacher. What is in the Health Education course? This course includes units of work on relationships, respect for individuals, conception and contraception, sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS, drug and alcohol abuse. This work is supported by a P.S.E. (Personal & Social Education) day for Year 10 pupils organised by health specialists. Discussion lessons then follow led by experienced teachers.  Which external examinations are offered? The School offers the GCSE examination and the Certificate of Educational Achievement. Which choices are available in addition to the core subjects? Pupils can choose three further subjects which lead either to GCSE or the Certificate of Educational Achievement. These are the choices open to pupils in Year 10 this year but the same choices cannot be guaranteed for the future. Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Certificate of Educational Achievement   Life Skills   GCSE Physical Education German Physical Education   Art Business Studies Religious Studies   Music Drama Business Studies   Geography French Art   Design & Technology (option 1) History Geography   Design & Technology (option 3) Design & Technology (option 1) Health & Social Care   Home Economics Life Skills French   History Information Technology History Which Examination Board is used? The vast majority of GCSE Course and all of the Certificate of Educational Achievement courses are examined by the Welsh Joint Education Committee, with pupils taking appropriate levels of papers in each subject. Records of Achievement The purpose of the Record of Achievement is to record the development of a pupil both academically and socially, throughout his/her school career. The Record of Achievement is presented to every pupil at the end of Year 11 and at the end of Year 13.

Homework Policy Homework is an important part of every Department’s curriculum and is compulsory for all pupils. A timetable is provided for each class and pupils note homework tasks in their homework diaries. The Homework Diary is considered to be an important link between the school and parents.

TIMETABLE OF PARENTS’ EVENINGS Year 7 - February Year 8 - March Year 9 - March Year 10 - February Year 11 - November Year 12 - January Year 13 - December