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Ysgol Rhiwabon, Wrexham

Year 8 pupils at Ysgol Rhiwabon, solving maths problems.

As part of the New Curriculum for Wales, the school is introducing more discussion-based maths lessons.

This allows students to bring crucial skills together to solve maths problems in small groups.

The discussions that take place allow students to build their mathematical understanding, oracy, and reasoning skills.

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Recently a Year 8 group were solving different problems based on the Angle Facts they have been studying. They were able to collaborate to solve some GCSE exam style questions, whilst enhancing their key communication skills, while having fun in the process.

• Following a successful period settling the school's new students, Ysgol Rhiwabon opened its doors to everyone as part of its community open evening.

Having lots of things to celebrate as they began a new academic year, some of Year 7 students who have all been involved in the school's SWAN project, spoke to a packed main hall, about their transition from primary to secondary school and their experiences of settling in.

Packed main hall at the Ysgol Rhiwabon open evening.

This was recently recognised in Ysgol Rhiwabon's latest Estyn Inspection Report, from March 2023 which stated: "Transition arrangements to support pupils' wellbeing are a strength of the school. Staff help pupils settle in well by being welcoming and getting to know them quickly.

"For example, pupils undertake a two-week cross-curricular project at the start of Year 7, during which they are taught in their form groups. For much of Year 7, they have a separate play area at break and lunch times. These approaches help pupils to feel safe and to integrate successfully into their new school."

Evie Blake (centre), Ffion Lewis (left) and Tommy Killick (right) speak to the audience.

Year 6 and 7 parents praised the school's work and were happy with the way they welcomed the youngest members to the school.

Comments from parents included: "Keep on going with your fantastic ideas for making transition from primary school as smooth as possible," and "My child has enjoyed everything during the induction project SWAN. She has got to know her classmates really well, making lots of new friends. She says the teachers are very kind and helpful. She has been made to feel really welcome."

Headteacher Melanie Ferron-Evans added: "The open evening is an important event for our local families as they visit Ysgol Rhiwabon and look to the future. It is also important for staff and students to be able to showcase our pride in the school. It was a very busy but successful evening."

Ysgol Bryn Alyn, Gwersyllt

The school had an amazing time when the BBC Cymru Wales BBC Bitesize tour visited the school earlier this month, a "fantastic" careers and aspirational day.

Raising aspirations is key to success at the Wrexham school and YBA were delighted to welcome the BBC Bitesize Team.

Alex Humphreys, presenter and journalist from BBC Wales, hosted the panellists Colette Hume, journalist/presenter BBC Wales, Tomos Owen, business owner Swig Smoothies and Beth Cole, director of Populi Media - Website Design, for an interactive event with all year groups.

YBA pupils were entranced by the stories of the three panellists who spoke passionately about their own journeys and the impact of covid.

BBC Cymru Wales BBC Bitesize tour visited Ysgol Bryn Alyn - presenter Alex Humphreys (left), with Colette Hume, Tomos Owen and Beth Cole.

For YBA, it is all part of the YBA REACH Programme to support learners to become enterprising, creative contributors who are ready to play a full part in life and work. The event linked perfectly with the school's cross cutting theme of careers and work-related experiences outlined in the Curriculum for Wales framework.

The pupils went away motivated and inspired, from Year 11 pupils stating "It really has set me up for the final push for my examinations" to Year 7 and 8 pupils commenting "The event was so good! I've gone home and started to think about what I really want to do when I am older - I have a plan now"! Year 9 pupils fed back that the event has "Really supported our thinking towards option choices later this year".

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Year 7 students Oleri Derbyshire and Millie Jones said: "We found the event really interesting and were especially inspired by Tomos Owen's story about creating a smoothie business."

Rob Ransome, senior assistant headteacher said: "This has been a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to learn the importance of academic and life skills, particularly of how they can support career aspirations. Today's event has really helped our pupils to understand the importance of this and has sent the pupils away really inspired."

• Earlier this month a group of 35 Year 7 pupils from Ysgol Bryn Alyn attended a session on the North Wales Children's University to encourage pupils to participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities.

The North Wales Children's University is part of the Children's University charity which works with schools and external organisations to develop a love of learning in children and young people from eight to 18. By encouraging and rewarding participation in extra-curricular activities, both inside and outside of school, the Children's University also aims to raise aspirations so that all CU members can discover their potential.

Ysgol Bryn Alyn launch its REACH programme with a visit from Children's University - Freddie Borman and Vivienne Burcham with Alison Kipping.

During the first session at Ysgol Bryn Alyn, students were given an Activity Record booklet and their own login details for the Children's University online portal, where they can record extra-curricular and volunteering opportunities that they have participated in both inside and outside of school.

The students receive a stamp code for each activity which is then converted into hours through the portal. For the YBA pupils that attended the transition event at Condover Hall recently they gained three hours towards their final goal. All students at YBA are aiming to reach 30 hours, when they will be rewarded with a certificate and an invitation to a graduation-style celebration event, including free mortarboard and gown hire. For some of the pupils from YBA the highlight of the session was an opportunity to try out the mortarboard and gown for size!

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Students can choose to attend school clubs, participate in voluntary, extra-curricular activities within school time such as music lessons, and complete online activities, in addition to access to a huge range of Learning Destinations. These are external providers that work with Children's University where children can discover new hobbies, sports and places, and learn about the varied career opportunities that are open to them.

Zoe Cooper, assistant headteacher, who is overseeing the initiative, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for our pupils and is an extension to the rich and diverse range of extra-curricular activities we offer here at YBA. Our pupils are very keen to get started and I am sure it will help to broaden their experiences both in and out of school."

Ysgol Bryn Alyn launch its REACH programme with a visit from Children's University.

Alison Kipping, deputy headteacher, added: "We are delighted to welcome Children's University into our school. This forms part of our YBA REACH programme for are most able learners and supports are drive to develop ambitious, capable learners who are ready to learn throughout their lives.

"We hope this will inspire them to continue to seek new learning experiences both in and out of school that will further enrich their high school education and continue into their lives beyond school. They are certainly very enthusiastic and keen to get started."

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Sam Harbour, associate headteacher, is overseeing the pilot at the school. She said: "We welcome this exciting opportunity for our students and look forward to seeing them explore new possibilities that might otherwise not have been open to them.

"As part of the pilot, students have been asked to fill in a survey and take part in class discussions both before, and at the end of the scheme, to evaluate their engagement levels in extra-curricular activities, their aspirations, and their knowledge of college and university.

"They will also be asked about their expectations and experiences of the Children's University .