Education Minister gets Ysgol Gyfun Heolddu off to a Flying Start

Education Minister Jane Hutt has visited Ysgol Gyfun Heolddu in Caerphilly to open its new Flying Start childcare facility.

Flying Start is an Assembly Government programme which provides intensive support services to children up to the age of three and their families who live in areas of disadvantage. The new facility at Heolddu Comprehensive has been funded by around £25,000 from the Flying Start initiative.

As well as opening the new centre, the Minister also took the opportunity to congratulate head teacher Philip Jones on winning Head Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School at the 2009 Teaching Awards.

Jane Hutt said:

"My congratulations go to Mr Philip Jones on his award which is very much deserved and for what he has achieved at Ysgol Gyfun Heolddu. As a community focussed school Ysgol Gyfun Heolddu plays a huge part in the community of Bargoed, and is one that provides a range of services and activities often beyond the school day to help meet the needs of its pupils, their families and the wider community.

"This fits in with the ethos of our Flying Start initiative which is to ensure that children get the best possible start to life. Free, part-time, childcare for two-year-olds is a major step forward from our existing commitment to three year olds. The Flying Start scheme will also deliver increased health visitor support and help for parents.

"This fantastic Flying Start centre here at Heolddu Comprehensive will give the children and people of this community the opportunity to learn and build their confidence and communication skills."

Head teacher at Heolddu Comprehensive Mr Philip Jones said:

"We are naturally delighted to host the Flying Start initiative. Heolddu is very much at the heart of Bargoed and this provision will only serve to further community education and lifelong learning. It will enable our pupils to gain added qualifications and equip them for the outside world. I would like to thank the LEA and the Welsh Assembly Government for the funding that has provided a great opportunity for the people of Bargoed."