Every two years, schools are invited to take part in the Student Health and Wellbeing Survey. The information collected in the survey is used to compile a Student Health and Wellbeing Report for each school, which supports their work to improve their students’ health and wellbeing.

Ysgol Bae Baglan is taking part in the Student Health and Wellbeing Survey this term. The survey is being
managed by Ipsos on behalf of Cardiff University and is completed online under the supervision of a member of school staff. It contains questions on health behaviours, including diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol, drugs, school life and relationships. Students in Year 9 and above only will be asked a small number of questions relating to sexual behaviour. Each student chooses whether or not they want to complete the survey and they can omit any question they do not want to answer.

I hope that you will be happy for your child to take part. If you have any concerns, wish to see the survey
questions or withdraw your child from the survey or from data linkage research, please notify school reception as soon as possible.

Full details are outlined in the attached letter:

Dear Parents,

School uniform is central to our way of building a sense of community among students, staff, and parents as well as the local community. 

School uniform plays a key role in promoting pride, self-confidence, and a feeling of belonging within school. These factors contribute to students’ wellbeing.  Wearing a uniform sets our expectations of the mindset we need.  It gives clear signals to pupils that this is a working environment with high standards and helps them separate their social and school life.  When children wear a uniform, as well as gaining a sense of pride, we see improved discipline and concentration. Uniform removes the points of difference between students, unifying the student body and providing a greater focus on academic work.

We recognise that with the cost of living rising, that worries about the cost of uniform can be very real, so we have kept our Secondary Phase uniform simple, with unbranded black footwear, unbranded black trousers and skirts, unbranded white shirts. The school tie and jumper being the only branded uniform items for daily school.  Our uniform bank is also full of items for those families who need more support, and we are grateful to those that have donated good quality items.

Over the last few weeks it is clear that for some pupils, standards have fallen.  Pupils are arriving in school wearing PE Kit or in items which are not part of our uniform.  Some pupils have had to be challenged about wearing outerwear such as hoodies and coats in class as they do not have school jumpers.  Others have said they don’t have any uniform available.

For school uniform to have a positive effect in building our community and improving standards, then it needs the support of all our parents.  Pupils need clear and consistent messaging from both school and home, and we hope that we can rely on you for that.  We want to help those families that are struggling, but the best way to help all of our children right now is to set out the high expectations we all have for them.

Please ensure that on return to school after Easter that pupils have at least the minimum requirement.  Black footwear, black skirt or trousers, white shirt a school tie and a school jumper if the weather is cold.  Outerwear, including hoodies are not to be worn in class.

Thank you for your support