Festival sees more than 40 schools across south west Wales Sharing Excellence

Opening the event, Steve Perks, headteacher of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, told the delegates: “We don’t often get the chance to come together to celebrate the work we are doing in our schools. Today is that day to celebrate.”

John Carnochan, an advocate of early years and parenting support, was the key-note speaker. A former Detective Chief Superintendent in Strathclyde for almost 39-years and a member of the Scottish Government’s Early Years Task Force, John’s speech focussed on working together and how partnerships at all levels can bring about change in the public sector.
The event was also used as a platform to launch the Cymraeg Campus Language Charter. Created by ERW Welsh in Education officers, the charter enables schools to increase the use of Welsh in English medium schools. The Charter consists of three awards – bronze, silver and gold. It has been piloted in 25 schools across the ERW region.

ERW Managing Director, Betsan O’Connor said: “The aim of our conference was for our teachers, governors and school leaders to come together to celebrate and share some of the great work that’s being done in our region.”
Eighteen breakout sessions were held, which included the following topics: supporting learners to access a comprehensive curriculum; building resilience and maintaining highly successful schools; whole school approach to developing digital competence; building capacity within and across schools to build a self improving system; successful strategies to improve continuation and maintain pupil performance and engagement – primary to secondary – all presented by schools such as Ysgol Teilo Sant in Carmarthenshire, Bishop Gore in Swansea, Gladestry Church in Wales Primary School in Powys, Ysgol Bro Gwaun in Pembrokeshire, Ysgol Gynradd Gwaun Cae Gurwen in Neath Port Talbot and Ysgol Rhydypennau in Ceredigion.
ERW is an alliance of six local authorities (Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port-Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Powys and Swansea) governed by a legally constituted joint committee.  The six local authorities work together to agree a regional strategy and business plan to deliver school improvement services.

Photo credit: Education Through Regional Working (ERW)