Back to school

As children and families prepare to return to school next week, pupils and teachers have been telling us why they enjoy going to school.

Students from Llanyrafon Primary and Abersychan School are just some of those supporting Torfaen Council’s #NotInMissOut campaign, which encourages good attendance and aims to help reduce unauthorised absences.

You can watch the videos here or on social media – search for #NotInMissOut

Get help with school costs

If you’re worried about buying new school uniform, footwear or paying for extra-curricular activities, then help is available.

The Welsh Government’s Pupil Development Grants aim to support low-income families with education costs. For more information, visit our website here.

For other cost of living support and advice, visit the Cost of Living Support area on our website or call Advicelink Cymru for free on 0808 250 5700.

Free school meals

All children from reception to Year 2 qualify for free school meals, thanks to the Welsh Government’s plan to offer free school meals to all primary school pupils by 2024.

The scheme will be rolled out to primary school Years 3 to 6 in Torfaen from September. For more information about Universal Free School Meals programme, visit the Welsh Government site.

School admissions deadline

The closing date for reception 2023 primary school applications is Wednesday 11 January at 12 noon.You can apply via our online admission form here.

Any forms submitted after this date will be classed as a late application and will be considered on a monthly basis after the offer date.

Report pupil illness

With current high rates of flu and Covid, the advice from Public Health Wales is children with high temperatures should be kept home from school.

If your child isn’t well enough to go to school, it is important you contact your school as soon as possible to report them absent with a reason. You can find contact details on your school’s website.

If you do not report them as absent, it could be recorded as an unauthorised absence and you may be contacted by the school.

New year courses

With the new year in full swing, Torfaen Adult Community Learning is delighted to share their newCourse Guide for January – March 2023.

Browse a range of courses and discover opportunities to enhance your career prospects, develop new skills and improve your health and wellbeing, all whilst connecting with others in your community.

Also look out for this termsFREE courses, some include:

• Introduction to Teaching Assistant
• Restart a Heart
• Essential Skills: English, Maths, Digital Skills and ESOL

For more information courses, please contact our team on 01633 647647 or email power.station@torfaen.gov.uk