Pontypridd High School has begun to introduce and embed Restorative Approaches. This will focus on building, maintaining and repairing relationships. Staff, pupils and parents/carers who work restoratively report that this way of working leads to:

• A more respectful climate
• A shift away from sanction-based responses that aim to ‘manage’ behaviour, towards a more relational approach
• Better relationships amongst children and staff
• People being more honest and willing to accept responsibility
• People feeling more supported when things go wrong
• A calmer, quieter and more productive learning environment

Schools that work restoratively find that relationships are stronger and learning is more effective, resulting in less need to resort to sanctions and punishments.

This year Pontypridd High School is beginning its journey as a restorative school. We are committed to a whole-school approach, as this has been proven to be the most effective method to reducing bullying, exclusions, classroom disruption and truancy.

Pontypridd High School will not tolerate any form of bullying. If an incident is reported, it will be dealt with promptly and thoroughly.

What pupils should do:

• Pupils who suffer or witness bullying should report incidents to a member of staff
• Year 7 pupils may also report incidents to any pupils who are members of the SNAP team
• Pupils who suffer cyber bullying should save texts and print off online messages so that evidence is available if needed
• Pupils should report incidents to their parents/carers

What parents/carers should do:

• If parents/carers are concerned about any incident involving pupils, they should contact the school’s Wellbeing Team by phone, in writing (letter or email) or in person.

The Welsh Network of Healthy School Schemes was launched in 1999 to encourage the development of local healthy school schemes within a national framework. 

The Welsh Government and Public Health Wales have provided funding and guidance to help health and education services working in partnership to set up and run local healthy school schemes in all 22 local authorities across Wales. 

The Healthy Schools Team in Pontypridd High work with pupils, teachers, parents and a range of partners to improve the health of the whole school community. Our primary aim is to develop a whole school approach to health through 7 key areas:

• Food and Fitness
• Mental and Emotional Health and Well-being
• Personal Development and Relationships
• Environment
• Substance use and misuse
• Safety
• Hygiene

Pontypridd High School begun its journey in the scheme in 2008. We are very proud that we have achieved the phase 4 award.

National Quality Award (NQA)

Since 2010, schools now have the chance to be awarded a national final accreditation for outstanding practice; the Welsh Government’s 'National Quality Award'. In order to achieve this final award, schools must have been part of the Rhondda Cynon Taff Healthy Schools Scheme for a minimum of 9 years and achieved all 6 phases of the scheme and have been able to evidence their good practice via a 2 day accreditation assessment by external assessors.