Barry school Pencoedtre High appoints new exec head

Innes Robinson will take up the position on a three-year basis.

His appointment comes after Debra Thomas left the role in the middle of January.

Mr Robinson is currently head at Whitmore High and will combine his new role with responsibilities there.

The Vale Council, who made the announcement, say Mr Robinson arrives with a track record for delivering success and creating a positive school culture having previously been deputy head of Eastern High in Cardiff.

The council have announced a host of other changes to the school including creating a raft of new roles.

Two new assistant headteachers have been recruited with a focus on pupil health and wellbeing, behaviour, and attendance.

There will also be additional pupil support staff, taking the total number to 33, while six youth workers are present to assist at various times throughout the day and after school.

A family engagement officer and liaison and engagement officer have been employed, alongside a gym manager.

There will be an increase in the number of learning support assistants at the school and a greater presence of SLT members in corridors and communal areas during break times.

Innes Robinson, new executive head of Pencoedtre High (Image: Supplied)

The changes come as teachers who say they felt helpless in trying to discipline pupils went on strike.

NASUWT members held strikes on January 10, 17 and 18, but cancelled their latest round of strikes - which were set for January 24 and 25 - due to “progress in talks” with governing body Vale Council.

In the longer term, the council say they will use Welsh Government funding to create a new permanent structure on the school site to be used by pupils during the day and made available for family, adult and community learning outside of school hours.

Teachers at the school have been on strike over lack of support in disciplining pupils (Image: Newsquest)

The school has announced a raft of changes, along with appointing the new executive head (Image: Newsquest)

On his appointment, Mr Robinson said: “I’d first like to thank Debra for her for her efforts at Pencoedtre. She has put the school on a sound path and I am very grateful for that contribution.

“My aim now is to continue that excellent work and deliver the vision that I and the Council have for Pencoedtre. I believe we can look forward with optimism and excitement and I can’t wait to get started.

“The focus must always be on delivering for our pupils, giving them the very best chance to be successful in whatever they decide to do.

Read more:

• Strikes cancelled at Barry school
• Executive headteacher of Pencoedtre High leaves role
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“Part of that involves building a community with everyone pulling together towards common goals. That is the ethos I want to instil.

“This role of Executive Head allows me to work across both Whitmore and Pencoedtre High which is important as we strive for consistently high levels of performance and approach in education across Barry.”

Some structural changes will take place to improve the school's Successful Futures Centre, and security features around access points will also be upgraded, with work scheduled to take place during the upcoming half-term break.