CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

This annual report is for parents of pupils attending Stanwell School.

The aim of the Governing Body is to provide the best possible education for pupils in a safe environment where learning and teaching are paramount. To this end, the Governors have been busy with the development and review of a wide range of policies, procedures and the school prospectus which contains details of the school in accordance with Welsh Assembly Government documentation.

More and more parents are applying for their children to be educated at Stanwell and the school is oversubscribed. Parents give high standards of teaching, discipline, behaviour and uniform as major reasons for choosing Stanwell. Although infrequent, any disruptive actions will not be tolerated and governors require that a consistently firm line is taken with any illegal activities e.g. permanent exclusion for any pupil in possession of illegal drugs in school. The governors place on record their support and appreciation of parents and the school staff in attempting to achieve the highest standards. Stanwell continues to receive much support from parents and local organisations. The links with primary schools, the community police officer and local industries are good examples of the continuing efforts of parents, teachers, governors and local organisations who work to support Stanwell pupils. Apart from the PTA, whose generosity is much appreciated, there have been no significant gifts to the school.

There have been many developments at Stanwell in recent years; the most visible improvement is the building programme. The new Learning Resource Centre is the most recent improvement. Many areas of the school have been re-decorated and re-carpeted and improvements have been carried out to the school grounds. This has enhanced the facilities for all at Stanwell. Pupils are taught in either new buildings constructed to a high standard or in the refurbished original school buildings. The teaching takes place in classrooms that are organised into distinctive areas. Mathematics, English, Welsh, Humanities, Modern Foreign Languages, Learning Support, Computing and Business teaching are based in departmental suites of rooms. Science, Music, Drama, Dance, Physical Education, Art, Media Studies and Technology each have specialist accommodation. Details of the school are contained in the school prospectus which has been updated without significant change.

To complement the high quality educational facilities, the strategic building plan for the school has placed security and safety of the pupils at its heart and more space for the pastoral support of pupils is being created including an improved reception area for parents to meet pupils in special circumstances. The current facilities are a testimony to the hard work of the governors and staff.