Some important news from Ysgol Bae Baglan at the end of the school year.
Year 11 Celebration Evening
The Year 11 Celebration Evening will proceed as planned this evening. Pupils are asked to arrive at school from 5:00pm for photographs, with transport departing promptly at 6:00pm. The expected return time is approximately 10:45pm, with drop-off at the rear school car park.
Given the current high temperatures, pupils are advised to remain well-hydrated and to dress appropriately for the weather and their comfort.
Extreme Weather Update
23/6 13:30pm You will be aware that the Met Office has issued a Red Warning for Extreme Heat covering Port Talbot and the surrounding areas over the next few days. Forecast temperatures are expected to exceed 37°C in the shade, with significantly higher temperatures possible in direct sunlight.
We have been monitoring the situation closely and have considered a range of measures to reduce the risks associated with these exceptional conditions. Following this assessment, we have taken the decision to close the school building on Wednesday and Thursday and move to online learning for all year groups.
Pupils will be expected to engage with online learning from home. Secondary phase teachers will set work on Satchel and will be available during lesson times to provide support through Teams. Primary phase pupils will receive information about learning arrangements through DoJo.
This approach will allow pupils to continue their learning while remaining safe during the period of extreme heat.
Transition activities scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday have been postponed and will be rearranged with our partner primary schools. Work experience placements will continue where appropriate, as employers will have undertaken their own risk assessments and implemented any necessary control measures.
At present, the Year 11 Prom will go ahead as planned. Should this position change, we will contact families directly.
Change to the School Day – Secondary Phase
Dear Parents and Carers,
Following the completion of the statutory consultation process, the Governing Body has now considered the consultation responses and operational considerations relating to the proposed change to the secondary phase school day from September 2026. Having considered the feedback received from pupils, parents and staff, the Governing Body has approved the proposed change to the secondary phase school day from September 2026. The end of the Secondary Phase school day will now be 2:45pm.
The revised arrangements will begin from September 2026. The start of the school day and overall curriculum learning time will remain unchanged.
No changes are being made to the primary phase school day.
During the consultation process, several practical considerations were raised regarding lunchtime
arrangements, vulnerable pupils, traffic flow and families with children across both phases of the school.
These issues will now form part of the implementation planning for September.
This includes:
continued support arrangements for vulnerable pupils;
monitoring of lunchtime and catering arrangements;
discussions with the Local Authority regarding school transport;
supervision arrangements for pupils waiting for siblings at the end of the primary phase school day.
I would like to thank all parents, pupils and staff who contributed to the consultation process.
Kind regards,
Richard Rees
Headteacher
Ysgol Bae Baglan
Proposal to Change the Secondary School Day
We are writing to all parents to consult on a proposal to change the secondary phase school day. Full details of the change and how you can be involved in the consultation are in the letter to parents below.
Upstream Cymru
Upstream Cymru is a project which aims to overall reduce youth homelessness across Wales. As
part of this project, NPTCBC Youth Service and Llamau – Wales’s leading homelessness charity –
work to implement preventative support services to children and families in a school setting.
As part of the project, children in year 10 will be invited to complete a Wellbeing Assessment
questionnaire. This aims to identify early indicators or factors that could affect their present or
future risk of homelessness and other wellbeing indicators. Questions will cover some aspects of
home life, how they feel about life at school and other areas of interest.
If you do not wish your child to take part in this survey, you must let us know.
Mobile Phones at Ysgol Bae Baglan
We are writing to all parents to notify them of a change to our mobile phone policy. As part of our ongoing work to improve learning, wellbeing and safety across the school, the Headteacher and Governing Body have agreed a significant change to our approach to mobile phones and personal digital devices. From our return to school after February Half Term, pupils will no longer be permitted to use mobile phones or personal digital devices at any point during the school day. This includes from the moment pupils arrive on site until they leave the site at the end of the day, and it applies to all supervised school activities. Pupils can bring phones to school, but they should not be seen, heard or used at any time during the school day.
Full letter below.
Parent feedback : https://forms.office.com/e/GEm5ZUQKTe
Bus Strike
Update – Bus driver strikes involving the First Cymru 87 bus. On strike days
Leaving Lodge Cross at 7:28 arriving at YBB 7:42
Leaving Lodge Cross at 8:30 arriving at YBB 8:43
Leaving YBB at 14:40 arriving ay Lodge Cross 14:55
Bus pupils will leave school early catching the 14:40
