A Neath Port Talbot primary school which has created a positive environment for the children of armed forces personnel has received a prestigious award.
Baglan Primary School has become one of the first schools in Wales to achieve SSCE Cymru (Supporting Service Children in Education Wales) Armed Forces Friendly Schools Bronze Status.
Eve Wilson, the school’s SSCE Cymru Champion, said: “Working towards Bronze Status has allowed us to find out more about the different experiences of the service families in the school. It has also been a great opportunity to highlight the needs and difficulties some of the children are experiencing so we’re able to put support in place.
“The school and the service children have appreciated the sessions, initiatives, and funding SSCE has provided. They have also been able to share these experiences with their peers.
“Working towards becoming a Forces Friendly School has been hugely beneficial. We have established firm links with the families and the Armed Forces community.
“It has made us more aware of the challenges the children face and how we can work together to ensure these challenges are overcome. It has enabled us to review our practices and put things in place to support armed forces children. In return, the children have shared with us their experiences of attending different schools and visiting other parts of the world.
“We hope to continue to develop our practices to ensure that we provide a safe, nurturing environment for all our pupils.”
Last month, Baglan Primary held a Remembrance Day Service which was also an opportunity to thank the service families associated with the school. At the start of the morning, each class laid poppies they had made at home or in school.
Special guests included The Mayor of Neath Port Talbot, Cllr Chris Williams, Deputy Lieutenant Captain Huw Williams, Aberavon MS David Rees and many more from within the Armed Forces, Education and Emergency services as well as the school’s own service families.
After the service, all gathered in the school hall where Baglan Primary School was officially handed its Bronze award.
Cllr Wyndham Griffiths, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Transport and Connectivity and the council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “Well done to all at the school for achieving Bronze Status – it’s well deserved and the school clearly understands and recognises the issues faced by our service children.”
