A Welsh Secondary School is working in an innovative way to deal with the lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on its students.
Helping Students to Reintegrate
Ysgol Bryn Elian in Conwy noticed that a number of students were struggling to attend school following prolonged lockdowns and disruptions. In response Bryn Elian established Y Gorwel, an attendance support centre which aims to help students as they are reintegrated into mainstream education after such a lengthy absence.
Since its inception Y Gorwel has proven to be an effective model to support wellbeing, as well as improving attendance and engagement with school. Young people who feel anxious about coming to school on a day-to-day basis have a bespoke timetable to graduate their return to the classroom.
Bryn Elian’s Headteacher, Dave Humphreys is passionate about Y Gorwel’s impact. He explained, “Without doubt following the pandemic we would have lost some of our learners if we hadn’t set up our Y Gorwel facility.
“Y Gorwel is there to care for and nurture learners who are anxious or suffer with emotional based school avoidance (EBSA). We see the success of this facility on a daily basis as slowly but surely, we see smiles returning on faces and attendance increasing. This makes the facility worth its weight in gold”.
There is a calm atmosphere in Y Gorwel, with a small staff to student ratio, offering a safe place in school where students can be supported to reengage with their education whilst receiving bespoke therapies and interventions.
Focus on Learning
Students who attend Y Gorwel work in small groups, with a focus on learning. They follow their regular curriculum to support them in catching up with any learning missed due to prior absence. The Zen environment has relaxing music and growth mindset displays to offer a supportive approach.
Y Gorwel’s Manager, Jeff Powell, explained “we strive to create an inviting and caring environment where students can develop and flourish in an educational setting”.
Bryn Elian’s efforts to support persistently absent students who struggle with their mental health and wellbeing, has continued to grow over the past 12 months.
The impact of this innovative approach has been extremely positive and is a model the school’s leaders intend to keep in place long-term.
The IQM co-ordinator, Anna McCormack-Colbert, is looking forward to inviting IQM colleagues into Bryn Elian in March for the Spring Term CIN NW Cluster Meeting, where the focus will be on improving attendance, and will include a visit for participants to Y Gorwel.
Anna added, “a needs-led support provision forms the cornerstone of high-quality inclusive education. At Ysgol Bryn Elian, staff attitudes and practices accommodate this learner-centred approach”.
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