St. Helen’s R.C Junior School serves the community of Barry, Rhoose and Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan. The school was officially opened in 1974. The school is two-form entry and is of a semi open plan nature.

The school is fortunate to have a very enthusiastic and professional staff committed to providing the highest standards of learning and teaching. We are equally supported by a dedicated, energetic and dynamic School Eco Council and a Governing Body determined to further the aims of the school.

The school’s curriculum is well established and seeks to offer pupils of all ages a wide range of experiences upon which to develop their skills and understanding. We are committed to the development of the individual and putting the needs of the learner at the heart of everything we do. As such the school has invested in The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) as a skills based approach to teaching and learning in order to develop independent skilled learners. We are all very excited about teaching this new curriculum.

St. Helen’s R.C Junior School is proud to have been awarded the Eco Schools’ Green Flag for environmental awareness. The school is also part of the Vale of Glamorgan’s Healthy Schools Network. We have received the Basic Skills Quality Mark for standards in literacy and numeracy and have met the requirements for the prestigious Investors in People award. The school also currently holds the ICT Mark of Success along with the International Primary Schools Award in recognition of the outward looking nature of the school. The school is very keen to promote global awareness amongst the community and is strongly committed to diversity and tolerance.

The school has good links with the local community, church community and other local businesses and institutions. Pupils from St. Helen’s R.C Junior School transfer primarily to St Richard Gwyn R.C. High School. Some pupils also transfer to Bryn Hafren Comprehensive (girls) or Barry Comprehensive (boys) in Barry. We have good relationships with all of these secondary schools and have worked hard to initiate effective transition arrangements.

Whilst we are justly proud of all our achievements, what really makes St. Helen’s R.C Junior School such a special place is the children who attend it each day. They are happy, creative and curious, always eager to discover more about the world in which they live. Visitors often comment on the positive atmosphere that exists in the school and the “buzz” emanating from the classrooms. It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with these young people and to observe them achieve their goals.

Mr G Russ
Headteacher