About the centre

Bryntirion Comprehensive School is situated on the west side of Bridgend. The school serves the area of Laleston, Broadlands, Cefn Glas and Penyfai. It is a 11 - 18 mixed comprehensive and currently has a roll of 1023 pupils.

Staff delivering the WBQ

Ann Jenkins

WBQ coordinator

Students

80 students started on the WBQ in September 2005.

Delivery is in the hands of fourteen teachers including six mentors. They are responsible for one-to-one interviews and group tutorials. There are fourteen students in each group, with meetings held for 25 minutes each day Monday to Thursday.

Team meetings, involving all the delivery team are held each Friday for 25 minutes.  Additional team meetings are held at regular intervals, with informal meetings held on an almost daily basis.

Six team members have been given specific responsibility for Key Skills - one Key Skills per teacher. The school has received support from Mary Crandon (OCR) on Key Skills assessment.

The school recognises the importance of ensuring students complete the assessment (Key Skills/Individual Investigations) in good time.  It is hoped the WBQ Core will be completed by October/November of Year 13.

Student reactions to the programme of activities has been extremely positive. There is a strong emphasis on a 'learning by doing' approach. The popularity of the Duke of Edinburgh programme is a strong positive.

The mentor groups are a key feature of the WBQ. The regular contact between mentors and the students has already proved beneficial for students. The student groups were chosen alphabetically. This helped to create a greater cohesion in the mentor groups, with students from different friendships/interest groups being drawn closer together.  This has led to greater cohesion within the Yr 12 year group.