Barry Comprehensive School

Proud pupils displaying Barry Comprehensive School’s top marks
from the Estyn inspection

School inspectors have given Barry Comprehensive School top marks in its latest inspection.

The school was awarded Grade 1 and described as “a good school with a significant number of outstanding features” that is going “from strength to strength” under the leadership of its head, David Swallow.

Outstanding features of the school include the relationships between teachers and pupils and the quality of care, support and guidance students receive. Children make outstanding progress in their moral and social development in a school that is an orderly and respectful community. Standards of behaviour are very good.

The school was complemented on its highly motivated and enthusiastic teachers and support staff. Inspectors noted a significant amount of outstanding teaching.

Care and support for pupils are likewise outstanding. There is a lot of innovative practice. Inspectors picked out, for instance, the widespread weekly mentoring for pupils as they run up to their GCSE exams. This is combined with close communication with parents, special study and revision weekends, and evening sessions to help parents support their children’s learning. Inspectors said “All learners, whatever their background, are valued as individuals and integrated into a cohesive community. All are provided with equal and appropriate opportunities to succeed.”

Inspectors reported that: “The school’s commitment to promoting pupils’ achievement is exceptionally generous,” and commented on an inclusive atmosphere where children who have special learning needs, including gifted and talented students, are quickly identified.

Shared values and exceptional leadership have underlain the school’s very good progress. Barry Comprehensive was “the most improved school in Wales” three years’ running, scoring well above the Welsh average overall.

Governors’ chair Dr Matthew Griffiths says, “Inspectors complemented all those who have contributed to the progress of the school – pupils, parents and staff. They recognised headteacher David Swallow’s inspiring leadership. They saw how strongly the school is supported by the people of Barry and the wider community we serve. This is the combination behind the school’s success.”

He adds, “But inspectors also recognised that school funding per pupil is consistently one of the lowest in Wales. The Welsh Assembly Government needs to make sure that school budgets give every child fair access to the resources that help them learn and provide the opportunity to succeed. This school is acclaimed for efficient management of its resources and the good value for money it provides, yet it faces a big deficit in the new financial year.”

Our previous inspection: May 2001

Head Teacher David Swallow is delighted with the outcome of a rigorous and fair inspection of all aspects of the school's life.
    Says David Swallow, "This is a report that recognises the quality and commitment of the school and gives us helpful guidance on the steps we are planning to take to further improve our provision."
    Head and Governors are especially delighted that the aims and values of the school, which stress equality of opportunity for all, the importance of education in its broadest sense, and the desire to provide a supportive environment that fosters caring attitudes, and respect for the self, the school and the community "are seen to underpin all aspects of the school's life."
    The report goes on to compliment head, governors and staff for their "many successful school improvement strategies" and notes the impressive rate of improvement in exam results for school leavers over the past three years. Relative to pupils' abilities, say the inspectors, the proportion achieving higher grades is good." At the same time the school provides a secure and supportive environment for children with special needs.
    Barry Comprehensive is complimented on the good behaviour of pupils and the very good relationships between adults and pupils. Students value the strong network of support and guidance provided by pastoral staff, while there are good partnerships with parents, primary schools, the local authority and the community at large. The school is described as "an increasingly active and integral part of the community", with an able and pro-active governing body.
    The report provides a detailed analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the school's management systems and approach to teaching. There is particular praise for the quality of achievement and teaching in the Sixth Form, which is organised in partnership with Bryn Hafren School. Progress since the last inspection in addressing underachievement, developing Sixth Form provision, and encouraging attendance is noted.
    David Swallow says that the school will now prepare an action plan following the advice in the report. "We need, " he says, " to follow up our work with older pupils by focusing further on supporting the learning of children in key stage three. We will be restructuring our development plan and management responsibilities to enhance our procedures for self-evaluation, and we will be looking again at some of the work we have been doing to develop key skills. Inevitably, too, there are issues of detail in the report that need to be followed through with individual departments."
    "Above all, though, this is a report which suggests that students, staff and parents can be proud of their collective effort. Barry Comprehensive aims to provide everyone with the opportunity to succeed, and to work with all our partners for the success of our community."
    Parents have received copies of the summary report. Copies of the full report are available from the school.

PM Tony Blair congratulated BCS on its performance and inspection report.
   Writing to local MP John Smith the Prime Minister said that he was delighted by the school's progress.
   "This could not have been achieved "without the dedication and hard work of all concerned at the school, both staff and pupils," he said. Commented John Smith, "It's a pleasure to have been able to draw the quality of Barry Comprehensive School to the PM's attention."