Voices from the Field: Matthew O’Brien

Matthew O’Brien Headteacher Birchgrove Primary School Matthew O’Brien started teaching in 1999 and has gained a thorough knowledge of the Primary Curriculum and has experience teaching across the age ranges from Reception to Year 6 and in a Special Teaching Facility. During his career, he progressed from class teacher with curriculum responsibilities to two deputy headships, and in 2008 was seconded by the Local Authority as acting headteacher. In 2009, he was appointed headteacher of a Junior school and soon after successfully amalgamated the Infant and the Junior schools. He has been headteacher of Birchgrove Primary School since November 2013; a school that nurtures children’s natural curiosity, and develops happy, confident learners. Facilitating the Professional Learning of staff is central to Matthew’s philosophy. All staff at Birchgrove Primary School successfully understand the school’s vision and as a result, they work together as a community. Over time, the school has successfully brought about significant improvements and sustains these in a meaningful way. Much of this has been achieved by supporting the professional learning of the staff and strengthening collaboration with parents and the wider community. Part of the National Academy for Educational Leadership Wales’ Leading from the Middle: Middle Leaders in Wales conference 30 March 2023. _____________________ Matthew O’Brien Pennaeth Ysgol Gynradd Gellifedw Dechreuodd Matthew O'Brien ddysgu yn 1999 ac mae wedi cael gwybodaeth drylwyr o'r Cwricwlwm Cynradd ac mae ganddo brofiad o addysgu ar draws yr oedran yn amrywio o'r Dderbynfa i Flwyddyn 6 ac mewn Cyfleuster Addysgu Arbennig. Yn ystod ei yrfa, aeth ymlaen o athro dosbarth gyda chyfrifoldebau'r cwricwlwm i ddau ddirprwy brifathrawiaeth, ac yn 2008 cafodd ei secondio gan yr Awdurdod Lleol fel pennaeth dros dro. Yn 2009, fe'i penodwyd yn bennaeth ysgol Iau ac yn fuan llwyddodd i gyfuno'r Babanod a'r ysgolion Iau. Mae'n bennaeth Ysgol Gynradd Gellifedw ers Tachwedd 2013; ysgol sy'n meithrin chwilfrydedd naturiol plant, ac yn datblygu dysgwyr hapus, hyderus. Mae hwyluso Dysgu Proffesiynol staff yn ganolog i athroniaeth Matthew. Mae holl staff Ysgol Gynradd Gellifedw yn llwyddo i ddeall gweledigaeth yr ysgol ac o ganlyniad, maent yn gweithio gyda'i gilydd fel cymuned. Dros amser, mae'r ysgol wedi llwyddo i sicrhau gwelliannau sylweddol ac yn cynnal y rhain mewn ffordd ystyrlon. Mae llawer o hyn wedi'i gyflawni drwy gefnogi dysgu proffesiynol y staff a chryfhau cydweithio gyda rhieni a'r gymuned ehangach. Rhan o gynhadledd Arwain o’r Canol: Arweinwyr Canol Yng Nghymru yr Academi Genedlaethol ar gyfer Arweinyddiaeth Addysgol Cymru ar 30 Mawrth 2023.