26/2/2020

Two primary schools in Llanrumney will this week celebrate becoming officially federated during a host of activities.

Bryn Hafod and Glan yr Afon Primary Schools have established a formal partnership known as the Rainbow Federation, a name chosen by the pupils of both schools.  A special event was held at the beginning of the week, where children from both schools performed a song they had written, in front of an invited audience.

The creation of the federation was led by the two Governing Bodies of Bryn Hafod and Glan yr Afon. It will allow the two schools to share good and outstanding teaching and learning practices and provide a greater range of educational and extra-curricular opportunities. 

Executive Headteacher of The Rainbow Federation, Rhian Lundrigan said: "Following months of consultation and planning, today we are in an exciting place and we all have an opportunity to create a real vision of community learning. Federation will enable us to extend the educational opportunities for children, staff, parents and governors by sharing expertise, resources and friendships whilst keeping the unique characteristics of these two schools, at the heart of the community.

"Every child in our schools is unique and deserves the opportunity to be safe and happy, to become healthy and confident individuals. If in future years our children look back and say that The Rainbow Federation made a positive difference to their lives and that they leave as ambitious capable learners, enterprising, creative contributors and ethically informed citizens, then we as professionals have succeeded."

Bryn Hafod and Glan yr Afon Primary Schools are situated one mile apart in the same community and have historically worked closely together on collaborative projects.

The existing Governing Bodies of both schools will be dissolved and a new single Governing Body will be established which will have responsibility for the strategic oversight of both schools, working alongside Executive Headteacher Rhian Lundrigan. Each school will retain its name, Welsh Government school category, budget and staff, and they will continue to be inspected as separate schools by Estyn.

The move to Federate comes after Cardiff Council took steps to secure the future of Glan yr Afon last year. The school will reduce to a one form entry school from September 2020, addressing the issue of under-subscription and thereby placing the school on a more secure financial footing. Bryn Hafod will remain as a two form entry school.

Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said: "The establishment of the Rainbow Federation marks an exciting new chapter for Bryn Hafod and Glan yr Afon which will have benefits for staff, pupils, parents the wider school community.

"The Federation will allow both schools to share resources, ideas, facilities and good practice, to achieve the best outcomes for the children whilst maintaining each school's history and identity.

"I have enjoyed hearing the song written by pupils from the schools, in particular the words ‘we'll achieve a bright future, we'll make friends that last forever' which sums up this positive move for them and their communities."