The Leadership Role of Sixth-form Pupil
Information about the school
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr is situated in Cardiff. There are around 1,155 pupils on roll, around 218 of whom are in the sixth form. Around 12% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is below the national average of around 20%. Around 46% of pupils come from Welsh-speaking homes.
Context and background to the effective or innovative practice
The school’s vision is to create a Welsh and Welsh-speaking environment that is inclusive, safe, happy and caring, where pupils and staff can thrive and fulfil their full potential. The school provides a variety of Level 3 courses, which include A Level and vocational subjects in the sixth form. All students study the Skills Challenge Certificate in Year 12.
Description of the nature of the strategy or activity
The sixth form plays a very prominent part in school life. All Year 7 classes have sixth form prefects who attend the class at least one registration period each week. There are also well- being mentors, who have received appropriate training and support the Personal Tutor in a variety of key stage 3 classes, and work one-to-one with pupils who need specific support.
Nearly all members of Year 12 have contributed to the academic support of younger pupils through the Skills Squads that are in action between September and February. Target groups of Year 7 and 8 pupils were created who would benefit from a boost in basic reading and discussion skills in Welsh and English, and within numeracy. Year 12 were trained by experts from the core departments and by the school counsellor. The scheme was run collectively for one lesson a week, with members of the sixth form working one-to-one with a younger pupil, under the supervision of a specialist member of staff.
The Grŵp Tafod discussion group to promote the Welsh language is led by sixth form pupils and their contribution to improving pupils’ attitudes towards the Welsh language is invaluable to the school. They work to try to ensure that pupils see the Welsh language as a living language, convenient and a language to be used outside the classroom. Equality groups promote an equal, multicultural, inclusive society. The school as a community takes pride in its differences and celebrates them. The groups have specific oversight of issues and identities that are protected under the Equality Act 2010. There a three equality groups that meet separately at different times of the week:
Balch (An anti-racism and discrimination group based on ethnicity, belief or religion)
The group has had extensive input over several years, shaping school policies and influencing teaching and learning and representation within the curriculum. The group also wrote to the Senedd on one of its most far-reaching campaigns ever, challenging why there are no black or other ethnic minority teachers teaching through the medium of Welsh. This was accepted by the Minister of Education and his response was to request to meet the Digon and Balch groups to discuss the matter further. Balch has also been responsible for helping teachers to understand the challenges that black and minority ethnic people face on a daily basis. The group worked on training for teachers on unconscious bias. Extremely positive feedback was received from teachers and the work has been shared with the regional consortium.
Digon (A group against homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying)
Digon has been working consistently since 2010 to try to address the language of GBT. Over the years, the group has had amazing experiences, including reaching the ‘Young person of the year’ shortlist in the St David’s Awards in 2014, invitations to LGBTQ+ panels at the Urdd Eisteddfod and the National Eisteddfod, an interview on the Heno television programme and an interview with Newyddion Saith seven o’clock news during the World Cup about the group’s views on the situation for LGBTQ+ people in Qatar. They have worked with Professor EJ Renold to explore ideas and experiment with RSE lessons. They have spoken at conferences and established their own All Wales conference, which was successful, with teachers and pupils attending and working towards creative inclusive, safe schools for all. The group opened the Cardiff and Vale Urdd Eisteddfod with a special service that was broadcast on Radio Cymru.
Newid Ffem (Feminism and female issues group)
Newid Ffem has been involved in several projects at the school with the intention of maximising the visibility of successful women in various careers. This year, Newid Ffem has been looking specifically at the toilets, recognising that many young people within their community find it difficult to buy tampons and period products due to the cost and/or embarrassment. To improve the situation, all kinds of goods are available and there is a toilet rota, where a member of the group takes care of the basket during break time and lunchtime. This protects the products from being misused but, furthermore, this is a highly effective anti-bullying strategy, which means that a member of the sixth form has a friendly but authoritative presence within the toilets to ensure that they do not become unsafe spaces.
What impact has this work had on provision and learners’ standards?
The work of the Skills Squads and the Wellbeing Mentors is evaluated informally and through questionnaires. There is positive feedback about the scheme, with the young learners noting that the tutoring has increased confidence and the sixth form reporting improvements such as reading more fluently and understanding vocabulary. The numeracy feedback from Year 7 indicated that tutors “explain in a simple way” and are patient. All of the equality groups have a positive impact on the school community and have had an effect outside the school on a national level. They contribute to the school’s caring ethos, working tirelessly to ensure that the school is a safe place for everyone and contributing at a national level to give young people a voice. The work of the sixth form is very important in the school and their contribution is invaluable to ensure a voice for everyone and to prepare pupils to be future leaders.
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