Huw Lewis AM, Minister for Education & Skills visited both phases of the school this morning. During the hour long visit he met students who have represented Wales in a variety of sports, discussed the schools progress since opening with student Ambassadors and learnt a little of the history of the Works site from staff who now work for the school but previously held posts on the site.
Earlier in the year we briefed the Minister on the developments the school has made to engage more with parents this year through such activities as “Chat”, parental forums, drop – in sessions for skill developments and consultation events around literacy and numeracy.
As part of the visit today the Minister was pleased to help us launch an Ebbw Fawr “app” which can be down loaded to tablets, ipads and smart phones. The app links directly to our website but also allows us to push notifications directly to parents around events in the school or notifications if issues exist around weather or transport.
Prior to the visit The Minister said:
“I’m really excited about visiting Ebbw Fawr Learning Community and hearing all about how Schools Challenge Cymru has enabled the school to develop the “app”. It is a real honour to be asked to start the first download. I’m sure it will be the first of many.”
“I’d like to congratulate the school on its work in developing the “app”. It’s pleasing to see Schools Challenge Cymru making a positive, tangible difference in some of our more challenged communities. This development will improve engagement between the school, pupils, parents and the wider community and demonstrates how we are working hard to improve the life chances of our learners – a key objective of Schools Challenge Cymru”.