Developing principled, knowledgeable pupils
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Information about the school
Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur is an all-through school in Neath Port Talbot, which is situated on two sites – Ystalyfera in the north of the county, which is a 3-19 campus, and Bro Dur in Port Talbot which is an 11-16 campus. There are currently 1,519 pupils on roll, with 160 of primary age and 1,359 of secondary age. The school serves a wide area and provides Welsh-medium education for pupils in Neath Port Talbot local authority and the south of Powys. Around 15% of pupils are eligible for free school meals and 24% of pupils live in the 20% most disadvantaged areas in Wales. The school is currently working with Welsh Government and other schools to progress developments in relation to reforming education in Wales as a pioneer school.
Context and background to the effective or innovative practice
The school’s motto, Dysgu Gorau Dysgu Byw, encapsulates the school’s vision of ensuring a broad and comprehensive curriculum that inspires and engages pupils from all backgrounds and abilities to give everyone an opportunity to develop as principled and knowledgeable citizens. The school’s enrichment curriculum takes place on several levels with an emphasis on flexibility and the willingness to adapt according to pupils’ needs, the context of the school, local needs and global events.
Description of nature of strategy or activity
There are designated periods where the formal timetable is overturned for specific periods with the aim of developing pupils fully as principled and knowledgeable individuals who are ready to be citizens of Wales and the world. This means focusing on their identity and their role within the community and their commitment to ensuring sustainability within their local area. Some of the opportunities from which benefit from during the summer includes looking at Welsh Giants as a theme by walking the Cribarth mountain, looking at present day heroes and responding to these experiences through literature. They work in partnership with the community to improve their local environment through the Fy Nyffryn Gwydd (My Green Valley) project and, during the Summer Challenge trips, pupils connect, enjoy and care for their environment by looking at the areas of Kenfig and Margam. They also look at the area’s mythology and research Windrush and the effect Jamaican traditions have on the area.
Pupils lead on curricular plans and focus days throughout the year and according to global issues. Through the school Senedd, pupils raise awareness of their aspirations to discuss current affairs. An example of this was the Green Friday that was planned by pupils, with a series of curricular activities focussing on global and local sustainability. During the lockdown period, the Pwyllgor y Dreigiau (Dragon Committee) raised concerns about the effects of the pandemic on their use of the Welsh language. In response, a Dragon Day was planned jointly, which provided an opportunity for pupils to attend music, art, culture and language activities virtually that promoted the Welsh language and Welshness. Every year, the school holds a campaign to raise money for the Brainstrust charity, as a result of the charity’s close link with the school community. This support and commitment can be practical as well as financial, with pupils undertaking voluntary work in the community to working with old people’s homes, leading memorial services and completing a community mural to adorn the village of Ystalyfera.
There is a focus on broadening horizons and developing links with foreign communities while planning each residential trip to ensure pupils’ awareness of their identity as citizens of Wales and the world. In Vancouver, close links were forged with the Welsh community by holding concerts while broadening pupils’ horizons. Each year, the First World War memorial trip to Compiens places an emphasis on linking the arts and sports and does so as an integrated part of the commemorations in the area.
What impact has this work had on provision and learners’ standards?
The effect of this is that pupils are empowered to take ownership of their learning, to make purposeful contributions to their learning environment and to address issues that arise in the world around them. Across the school, most pupils interact with each other happily and naturally during lessons, break times and lunchtimes. They communicate politely and confidently with adults and are extremely welcoming towards visitors. Pupils are proud to be part of the familial Welsh community at Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur and show resilience and perseverance to complete their work successfully. Here are the responses from some pupils:
‘……the school ensures that there are opportunities for everyone to pursue their interests and develop life skills in exciting ways.’
‘……. I understand better how I can use my personal strengths to improve the lives of others through the work I completed for the charity project, ‘Diwrnod Eifion’, and I had a lot of fun.’
‘…. I was chair of the Senedd during the lockdown and leading on focus days gave me an opportunity to develop skills in working with others and definitely my leadership skills.’