Local areas set to benefit from £930,000 Community Focused School Grant

Bridgend County Borough Council is pleased to have been awarded £930,000 as part of the Welsh Government’s Community Focused Schools Grant.

The funding will be used to ensure more schools are able to operate and develop as Community Focused Schools, which reach out to engage families and work with the wider community to support all pupils.

It is part of a package of measures which will provide more support for schools to ensure all children have the best start in life regardless of their background.

The grant will help to fund practical ways of improving school facilities and enable greater community use.

This includes providing equipment storage for community groups, running extra-curricular activities, improving external lighting in sports areas, and introducing security measures to allow for safe community use.

27 schools at both primary and secondary level across the county borough will benefit from this investment.

Jeremy Miles MS, Welsh Government Minister for Education, said: “Tackling the impact of poverty on attainment is essential if we are to achieve high standards and aspirations for all.  We know that the life chances of children and young people are hugely influenced by their home and community and that teachers need more support in addressing the issues some children and young people face.”

Community focused schools help develop partnerships with a range of organisations, and make more services accessible locally to families and the wider community.

They use their facilities and resources beyond the school day to benefit the local area, improve the lives of the children, strengthen families, and build stronger communities. It’s really pleasing to know that so many of our local communities will be able to benefit from this funding.

Councillor Jon-Paul Blundell, the council’s Cabinet Member for Education