Cardiff West Community High School in Ely, one of Cardiff’s most deprived suburbs, published last month, little more than a year after the school introduced a mobile phone ban that many argue has completely changed the school. To address the most pressing issues facing his school, head teacher Mike Tate has made this policy a priority. Amongst these challenges, over half of their pupils are eligible for free school meals and they have nearly a quarter of students that are functionally illiterate. These shifts have resulted in a beautiful renovation and reimagining of the school. The number of pupil exclusions for violence have reduced by an astonishing 72%.
The school has facilitated a thriving, nurturing, diverse community despite more than 60% of their students being eligible for free school meals. This shocking statistic highlights the socio-economic issues that many families in the region face every day. Tate pointed out that issues within the school environment often extend beyond academic concerns, stating, “I think it’s an understanding of where schools are and what schools deal with, because we deal with far more than just teaching and learning.” The significant changes at Cardiff West Community High School aim to create a more conducive learning environment for its pupils.
Since the mobile phone ban has been implemented, Tate has reported an obvious difference in students’ ability to concentrate in class. As a result, internal truancy rates are said to have fallen to “virtually zero” and teachers were getting kids excited about their lessons. The primary teacher stressed that setting clear expectations and being consistent with enforcing rules is critical to keeping momentum going. What was enlightening is that he understood that the ban has worked. He admitted it’d be “naive” to think there aren’t still brawls on the campus.
Deputy head teacher Kathryn Stevens agreed, explaining that the past troubles ”leaked into every aspect of the school day.” Stevens said that the school’s new, trauma-informed approach has created a more supportive environment. “We are a no shout school. There’s no shouting in the school,” she stated. This proven approach has improved school climate by preventing conflicts and focusing on the positive interactions between students.
Staff at Cardiff West Community High School have taught staff to approach conflicts with effective de-escalation, solving the issues rather than public shaming. Stevens emphasized the importance of communication in resolving potential issues: “We always try to talk with children and we always try to start conversations with: ‘Is everything OK?’” This proactive communication style helps establish better relationships between staff and students, which can lead to improved behavior, as noted by Stevens: “If they like the teacher, they will behave better than if they have a bad relationship with the teacher.”
Cardiff West Community High School, for example, is addressing behavioral problems at their root. Simultaneously, they’re increasing their academic support to ensure students are succeeding. The school has adopted “symphonic style” support for reading, so that every student is able to access their curriculum. This targeted support aligns with Tate’s recognition of the link between students’ ability to access learning and their behavior: “There’s an absolute link between people’s inability to access learning and behaviour and acting out.”
The curriculum revisions were deepened by their use of research done within the local community. Tate stated that understanding the unique needs and challenges of their student body is crucial: “What the issues are, looking at what you can do with the money you have, and then how you can monitor the impact of what you’re doing.” Despite these advancements, he acknowledged that financial constraints remain a significant obstacle: “Money is an issue, there’s no doubt about that.”
Cardiff West Community High School completed an incredible transition. This transformation is a stunning example of how smart policies combined with strong grassroots civic engagement can dramatically improve conditions for students. The school is confronting the behavioral and academic challenges boldly and aggressively. By taking these steps, it is going above and beyond to foster an inclusive and productive learning environment for all students.
