Pencoedtre High head giving updates to parents on YouTube

There’s been special interest in Pencoedtre High after teachers went on strike over fears for their safety in the school.

Pencoedtre High has had a chequered history in recent times.

Despite the move into the impressive multi-million-pound facility, the school dropped into special measures at the beginning of last year - due partly to the high numbers of pupil absence - then its former head, who it was revealed ran a chip shop business on the side, was replaced by executive head Debra Thomas.

Ms Thomas left her role as teachers took strike action, picketing over concerns for their safety, with one teacher describing how a colleague was punched in the ribs trying to break up a fight in the corridor.

Now, in the latest chapter in the Pencoedtre saga, Innes Robinson is in as new executive head and he’s started weekly video updates on YouTube to help give insight into what is happening in school.

Pencoedtre head Innes Robinson's videos are about explaining what parents will see happen in the short term and describing how things are in the classroom (Image: Pencoedtre YouTube)

Mr Robinson began his first video with exactly that, explaining to viewers what the “fancy” job title “executive head” means – Mr Robinson is headteacher at both Whitmore High and Pencoedtre, something his predecessor Ms Thomas did, splitting her time between Cowbridge Comp and Pencoedtre.

He then says what the videos are going to be about; explaining what parents will see happen at the school in the short term and describing how things are in the classroom.

So what can parents expect? Consistency says Mr Robinson, before explaining the ‘inclusion room’, a strategy described as “strict, but kind” in controlling unruly children, pulling pupils out of class if they behave badly, but telling them they can return if they meet with behaviour standards.

This strategy might fly in the face of what some parents want to see in terms of discipline at the school. Parents at Pencoedtre told the Barry and District News they want to see pupils excluded if they behave badly.

• Pencoedtre High parent: "I don’t think the rules are sufficient. It should be zero tolerance. If you bully a teacher you are out, you are done.”

Mr Robinson also addressed the strikes in his first video, understanding that parents must deem them “worrying”, however he backed his staff saying they are a really good team and determined to see Penceodtre become a success.

• "We saw first hand her assured leadership skills when she hosted an emergency meeting with parents": Read more on Pencoedtre, here

We’ve counted at least three videos so far by Mr Robinson on YouTube.

Teachers have been on strike at Pencoedtre over concerns for their safety (Image: Newsquest)

Read more on Pencoedtre High, below:

• Despite new head, teachers at Pencoedtre still feel unsafe
• The interview with new Pencoedtre executive head Innes Robinson
• Barry school Pencoedtre High appoints new exec head
• Executive headteacher of Pencoedtre High Debra Thomas leaves role
• Pencoedtre High School teachers in second day of strikes

In the latest video – posted just before half term on February 9 – Mr Robinson seems to go a little off point from his original brief to give insight into the classroom, spending the opening 40 seconds of the three-and-a-half-minute video describing the gift of a mug he received, and the final section of the video discussing how to take care of a bearded dragon...

However, he did impart some words of wisdom to his pupils, especially Year 11s who come back from half term to a exams, saying, “take half term off, because it is going to build”.

The last we heard for NASUWT, there are currently no further teacher strikes planned at Pencoedtre High.

Parents, what are your children telling you about Mr Robinson's impact? Has it got better at the school? Email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk and let us know.

Parents, pupils, teachers, what is going on at Pencoedtre High? Is there violence in the school? Are things getting better? Let us know, emailing harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.