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Extreme Weather Update

Mr S. Davies

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

Mr S. Davies

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

Headteacher’s Update – 27th February 2026

Mr R. Rees

Dear Parents, Carers, and Secondary Pupils,

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to you all for your support in introducing our new mobile phone policy this week.

The vast majority of pupils have responded exceptionally well. Phones have been kept away throughout the school day, and they have not been seen or heard. This positive start has already helped us maintain a calmer, more focused learning environment, and we are grateful for your cooperation in making this possible.

Having listened to the views of pupils, parents, staff, and governors, we have also introduced secure phone pouches. If a phone has to be confiscated, it is now placed into one of these secure pouches and retained by the pupil until the end of the school day, when it is unlocked by a senior member of staff. This approach ensures devices remain secure while still reinforcing the expectations of our policy.

For a small minority of pupils who are still adjusting to the change, we will continue to work closely with them to help them understand why this policy has been introduced and to ensure they are able to follow it successfully. Our aim is always to support every pupil to meet expectations and feel confident in our school routines.

Thank you again for your continued partnership and support.

Mobile Phones at Ysgol Bae Baglan

Mr S. Davies

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

MobilePhoneChangeDownload

Christmas Greetings

Mr R. Rees

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we approach the end of the autumn term and look forward to the festive season, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support throughout the year. Your encouragement and partnership play a vital role in helping us provide the best possible experiences for our students.

This term has been filled with hard work, achievements, and memorable moments. We are incredibly proud of how our pupils have embraced challenges and demonstrated resilience and enthusiasm in their learning. None of this would be possible without the strong home-school collaboration that we value so highly.

As we head into the Christmas break, we hope you enjoy a well-deserved rest and time with family and friends. On behalf of all the staff, I wish you a joyful Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in January for another exciting term.

A Few Reminders

Monday 5th January 2026 is a staff INSET Day, therefore all pupils will return to school on Tuesday 6th January 2026

Uniform
Please ensure that pupils return in full school uniform in January. Maintaining high standards of uniform helps promote a sense of pride and belonging within our school community.

Attendance
Regular attendance is essential for every child’s progress and success. We kindly ask that all pupils attend school every day unless there is a genuine reason for absence, such as illness. If your child is unable to attend, please inform the school promptly. Good attendance ensures continuity in learning and helps pupils achieve their full potential.

Thank you once again for your ongoing support.

Nadolig Llawen

R. E Rees

Headteacher/Prifathro