It has been a very busy and productive start to the new school year, and it has been wonderful to see our children settling back into school so positively. As this newsletter demonstrates, pupils have already benefited from a wide range of exciting learning experiences and opportunities, with many more planned for the term ahead.

Please take particular note of the key dates included in this newsletter, especially our INSET days, as these may help you when planning any future holidays or family commitments. You will also find the dates for this year's parents' evenings. Further information about these events will be shared next week.

One of our key school improvement priorities this year is to strengthen collaboration and distributed leadership across our school community. We know that our parents, carers and family members bring with them a huge range of skills, experiences, interests and professional expertise. Many of you already support the school in a variety of ways, and we are extremely grateful for this. To help us make the most of the talents within our community, we would appreciate it if you could complete our short survey. This will give us a better understanding of how individuals may be willing to support the school now or in the future. Click the button below to fill in the survey.

We are also currently seeking three new Community Governors to join our Governing Body. Community Governors cannot be parents of children currently attending the school; however, if you know someone within the local community who would be interested in supporting the continued development of our school, please encourage them to contact the school office or fill in the application form accessed via the button below (once on the form click on 'File' then 'Download'. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about education, represent our community well, and are committed to working collaboratively to help Pencoed Primary continue to thrive. 

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support. I look forward to another successful and rewarding term ahead.

Dr. Sarjeant

Our School Improvement Priorities for 2026-27

Following robust self-evaluation involving staff, pupils, governors and families, the following three targets have been identified for the coming year.

Priority 1: Creating a School Where Every Child Can Thrive

We are continuing to develop a school where every child feels understood, supported and able to achieve their best. This means recognising that children learn in different ways and ensuring our teaching, curriculum and learning environments meet a wide range of needs.

This year, staff will further develop flexible teaching approaches, expand opportunities for outdoor learning and create classrooms and spaces that help pupils feel calm, focused and ready to learn. Our aim is for every child to feel confident, included and successful in school.

Priority 2: Working Together to Improve Our School

At Pencoed Primary, we believe that everyone has an important role to play in making our school the best it can be. This year, we will continue to make the most of the skills, knowledge and expertise of all staff members, ensuring that improvement is a shared responsibility across the school.

By working closely together, sharing ideas and reflecting on what works well, staff will continue to strengthen teaching and learning experiences for all pupils. This collaborative approach helps us build on our successes and ensure continuous improvement across the school.

Priority 3: Ensuring Every Child Has the Opportunity to Succeed

We are committed to ensuring that no child is disadvantaged by their personal circumstances. This priority focuses on identifying and removing barriers that may affect attendance, wellbeing, engagement or progress in learning.

We will continue to work closely with pupils, families and partner agencies to provide support where it is needed most. By strengthening our relationships with families and ensuring the right support is in place, we aim to help every child feel a strong sense of belonging and achieve their full potential.

Regular attendance and punctuality are important in helping children make the most of their learning opportunities and achieve their full potential. Arriving at school on time ensures that children have a calm and settled start to the day and are ready to engage in learning from the moment lessons begin.

As a reminder, if your child arrives after 9:00am and enters through the main office, a late slip must be completed. This is an important safeguarding procedure which helps us maintain accurate records of all children who are on site at any given time. Please ensure that children do not enter the building via the main office without a member of staff being aware and a late slip being handed in.

As a school we monitor our attendance regularly. Our current attendance average is 94.3% which remains above our figure from last year. We would like to achieve 95% by the end of the academic year.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe, organised and positive learning environment for all pupils.

Remaining INSET Days (2026-2027)

Friday 23rd October

Monday 2nd November

Thursday 27th May

Friday 28th May 

Parents Evening (more detailed information to follow next week)

Tuesday 20th October

Wednesday 21st October

Other Dates

Half term: Monday 26th - Friday 30th October

Christmas Holidays: Monday 21st December - Friday 1st January

Contact Us

Please let us know if you have any comments regarding the contents of this newsletter or any other matter relating to Pencoed Primary School. All issues will be dealt with in the strictest confidence. If you would prefer to make a personal appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us:

• Email: admin@pencoedps.bridgend.cymru or contact@pencoedprimary.co.uk

• Phone: 01656 815730