Meeting the needs of a diverse community 

Effective Practice
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Monkton Priory CP School
A group of children sitting on a gym floor, raising their hands in response to a teacher, in a school physical education class.

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Information about the School 

Monkton Priory Primary School is located on the outskirts of Pembroke, in Pembrokeshire. The community is among 10% of the most deprived in Wales, with 33% of pupils from a Gypsy Traveller background and 60% eligible for free school meals. Many pupils face significant barriers to learning, including child protection issues, poor housing and health problems.  A minority of pupils have been affected by multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and a few have experienced high levels of trauma. For those with severe and complex needs, the school provides two learning resource centres (LRCs). 

Context and background to the effective or innovative practice 

Through ongoing self-evaluation and relationship-building, school leaders identified several key issues affecting the progress and well-being of pupils: 

  • High levels of unemployment and health problems. 
  • Poor transport links, limiting experiences beyond the local area. 
  • Social challenges affecting attendance and parental engagement.
  • Concerns among the Gypsy Traveller community about statutory curriculum expectations, leading some families to opt for home education. 

Description of the nature of the strategy or activity 

To address these challenges, the school developed a bespoke curriculum and various initiatives: 

  1. ‘Inspire to Aspire’ program: This program raises aspirations by focusing on different industries each term, including interviews, visits, and project outcomes.  For example, Year 6 students engaged with a local denim factory, discussing sustainability and creating products to sell at a school event.  
  1. Launch Service: This adult education and signposting service empowers parents by offering free courses and qualifications, such as industry site safety courses, functional skills, and inclusive education degrees, this has also raised pupil aspirations.  Launch also provides weekly drop-ins for mental health, housing, finance, and domestic abuse support, as well as food parcels and uniform distribution.    
  1. ‘Succeeding through Sport Program’: This initiative promotes health and a love of sport by focusing on different sports each half term, featuring visits from athletes and special events.  The program has inspired some pupils to become semi-professional athletes.  
  1. ‘Window on the World’:  This initiative offers a range of free visits and cultural experiences to broaden pupils’ horizons.  For instance, Year 4 students visit Big Pit to develop empathy and understanding of historical events like the Aberfan tragedy. 
  1. Community Engagement: Leaders regularly engage with the community to address barriers.  For example, the school minibus now provides morning pickups, improving attendance by 3% and increasing breakfast club participation.  Concerns about relationships and sexuality education (RSE) were addressed sensitively, ensuring pupils’ rights and community sensitivities were balanced. 
  2. Celebrating Diversity: The curriculum emphasises diversity and empathy.  As part of a project with the National Library of Wales, pupils interviewed Richard O’Neill, a Roma author, and created films based on his life and Gypsy Traveller myths.  This work is now archived at the National Library. We are also fortunate to have a Varda placed on loan for storytelling within the school grounds.  

What impact has this work had on provision and learners’ standards? 

These initiatives have had a significant impact: 

  • Pupils make strong progress over time from low entry points. 
  • They develop a sense of self-worth and potential. 
  • Higher aspirations for life and work are fostered. 

 How have you shared your good practice? 

Monkton Priory Primary School has shared its successful strategies with various audiences: 

  • The ‘Succeeding Through Sport’ program has been shared with other schools in Pembrokeshire.
  • Literacy and numeracy strategies have been disseminated through Pembrokeshire primary networks. 
  • The Launch program has been presented to the former Minister for Education, UWTSD students, and at the Learning and Work Institute awards. 
  • An equity and inclusion presentation was delivered at the Welsh Government Curriculum Reform conference. 

By addressing the unique needs of its community, Monkton Priory Community Primary School is effectively raising aspirations and overcoming barriers to learning, creating a positive impact on both pupils and their families.