Promoting a strong Welsh culture
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Information about the school
Ysgol Gyfun Bro Myrddin is a designated Welsh-medium mixed community school for pupils from 11-18 years old and is maintained by Carmarthenshire local authority. It is situated in Croesyceiliog, Carmarthenshire. There are 912 pupils on roll and 190 students in the sixth form. Four point two percent (4.2%) of the school’s pupils are eligible for free school meals. Many (around 70%) of pupils come from Welsh speaking homes but all are able to speak Welsh
Context and background to the effective or innovative practice
Following the lockdown periods, the school recognised that maintaining and ensuring the school’s Welsh ethos was an increasing challenge. Although all subjects are now taught through the medium of Welsh, there was a need to ensure that pupils use the language regularly, particularly as 30% of pupils come from non-Welsh-speaking families. Following the lockdown period, feedback from staff and pupils suggested clearly that there had been a decline in the use of the Welsh language socially and that there was an immediate need to respond to that challenge. It was necessary to rebuild pupils’ confidence in their use of the language. It was decided to proceed immediately, following the lockdown period, to resume their previous plans and move forward.
Description of the nature of the strategy or activity
Developing Welshness following the lockdown period’ was set as one of the priorities in the school development plan. A new vision was created for the school jointly between pupils, governors and staff, which placed an increasing emphasis on the importance of Welshness and the importance of ‘belonging’ to the school family and community. A strong emphasis was placed on all members of staff embracing and celebrating the school’s Welshness and Welsh heritage and this responsibility is noted in the job descriptions of all members of staff.
Awareness was raised of the importance of the language in the classroom and extra-curricular activities through a number of plans. It was ensured that all departments in the school celebrated culture and Welshness in their departmental schemes of work to ensure pupils’ understanding of the importance of their language and traditions. This was also a key part of planning for the Curriculum for Wales, which will be implemented in the school from September 2022. The Curriculum for Wales has been branded with local Welsh characters to celebrate the local area and the county’s heritage.
A mural has been created to celebrate local culture with the artist, Rhys Padarn, and the mural has been used as a permanent decoration on one of the school’s walls and as a background for the school’s digital platform for the new curriculum. The school’s Welshness committee has been rebranded, omitting one committee and creating the ‘Torri Arfer’ committee. Activities have been planned, including a virtual Eisteddfod, numerous assemblies, concerts, a small ‘Maes B’, special competitions and external presentations on the advantages of the Welsh language. Awareness has been raised of local cultural events, such as the town’s St David’s Day Parade, the Urdd winners’ concert, arrangements for the Urdd Eisteddfod in Carmarthenshire and the Town Centre Festival.
Great emphasis is placed on supporting pupils to appreciate Welsh heritage and culture and providing them with continuous opportunities to put their language into practice and celebrate it with pride. Plans are underway to develop a pupils’ forum to discuss the way forward, a theatre in education activity by the sixth form and numerous extra-curricular events.
What impact has this work had on provision and learners’ standards?
The school takes pride in the fact the its recent inspection stated that ‘nearly all pupils take pride in their Welshness and take advantage of the extensive opportunities that are available to learn and socialise through the medium of Welsh. This, in itself, shows that its plans have come to fruition and that it is beginning to regain the ground lost due to the harm caused during the lockdown period. The school acknowledges that the battle is far from being won but the numerous plans have certainly rectified the situation. Developing and promoting Welshness is a continuous battle, even in a school that is well-known for its ‘Welsh’ ethos.
How have you shared your good practice?
The school places a great emphasis on celebrating the school’s successes on its numerous social websites and in the local press. Therefore, good practice is disseminated widely. It is also planning its new curriculum to focus on local well-known characters, which will again emphasise the importance of its culture, heritage and Welshness. Learners have created a series of Welsh wellbeing podcasts to discuss current affairs and the series will be shared publicly in the near future.