Glan Afan Comprehensive School
Encyclopedia
Glan Afan Comprehensive School (in Welsh: Ysgol Gyfun Glan Afan) is a mixed comprehensive school
, which has served the town of Port Talbot
, Wales
and its surrounding areas for over 110 years.
was moved to Afan College during the 1980s. From 1974-96, it was administered by West Glamorgan County Council. In 1996, the Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council was formed, and the school is currently administered by Neath Port Talbot's LEA.
English, Mathematics and Science (the core subjects). In addition the following foundation subjects are studied: History, Geography, RE, French, Welsh, Art, Music, Technology, ICT, Games, PSE and PE, Drama is offered as part of the skills module. In years 7 and 8 pupils have the opportunity to obtain the Key Skills qualifications of Communication, Application of Number and Working with Others at Level 1.
The curriculum is organised in order to give a broad and balanced experience meeting the needs of all pupils including those with Additional Learning Needs. All pupils have the opportunity to study Welsh culture within individual subjects. The school also organises an annual Eisteddfod and participates successfully at Local and National Urdd Eisteddfoda.
or other providers.
All Year 10 and 11 pupils will follow a Personal and Social Education Course, and a programme of Careers Guidance. During year 10 they will
participate in a week of work experience. At Key Stage 4 the school actively monitors and targets pupils to identify underachievement and
provides Learning Coach support and mentoring to help pupils with their GCSE studies.
Boys - White shirt, school tie, black trousers, black V neck pullover with embroidered school badge. Black shoes and suitable socks.
Girls - White shirt, school tie, black skirt or trousers, black V neck pullover with embroidered school badge. Black low heeled shoes, suitable socks or black tights.
of West Glamorgan
and the Wales Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Comprehensive school
A comprehensive school is a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude. This is in contrast to the selective school system, where admission is restricted on the basis of a selection criteria. The term is commonly used in relation to the United...
, which has served the town of Port Talbot
Port Talbot
Port Talbot is a town in Neath Port Talbot, Wales. It had a population of 35,633 in 2001.-History:Port Talbot grew out of the original small port and market town of Aberafan , which belonged to the medieval Lords of Afan. The area of the parish of Margam lying on the west bank of the lower Afan...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and its surrounding areas for over 110 years.
History
Glan Afan was originally the County Grammar School, also known as Port Talbot County Boys' School. It then became Glan Afan comprehensive school in the early 1960s, taking pupils up to the age of 18. At that time the school's name was written as "Glanafan" rather than "Glan Afan". The sixth formSixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
was moved to Afan College during the 1980s. From 1974-96, it was administered by West Glamorgan County Council. In 1996, the Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council was formed, and the school is currently administered by Neath Port Talbot's LEA.
The School Curriculum
The school delivers the National Curriculum at Key Stage 3, (years 7, 8 and 9), and Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11).Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3 the following subjects are studied:English, Mathematics and Science (the core subjects). In addition the following foundation subjects are studied: History, Geography, RE, French, Welsh, Art, Music, Technology, ICT, Games, PSE and PE, Drama is offered as part of the skills module. In years 7 and 8 pupils have the opportunity to obtain the Key Skills qualifications of Communication, Application of Number and Working with Others at Level 1.
The curriculum is organised in order to give a broad and balanced experience meeting the needs of all pupils including those with Additional Learning Needs. All pupils have the opportunity to study Welsh culture within individual subjects. The school also organises an annual Eisteddfod and participates successfully at Local and National Urdd Eisteddfoda.
Key Stage 4
At Key stage 4 pupils follow a compulsory curriculum of English, Mathematics, Science, Games, RE, Welsh, PSE and ICT [Short Course]. Pupils then choose from a variety of subjects organised into option groups. Pupils can choose from GCSE, Vocational GCSE and BTEC vocational courses which are linked with Neath Port Talbot CollegeNeath Port Talbot College
Neath Port Talbot College is a further education institution established as two campuses in Port Talbot and Neath in Wales, United Kingdom....
or other providers.
All Year 10 and 11 pupils will follow a Personal and Social Education Course, and a programme of Careers Guidance. During year 10 they will
participate in a week of work experience. At Key Stage 4 the school actively monitors and targets pupils to identify underachievement and
provides Learning Coach support and mentoring to help pupils with their GCSE studies.
School Uniform
School uniform is compulsory at Glan Afan.Boys - White shirt, school tie, black trousers, black V neck pullover with embroidered school badge. Black shoes and suitable socks.
Girls - White shirt, school tie, black skirt or trousers, black V neck pullover with embroidered school badge. Black low heeled shoes, suitable socks or black tights.
Extra-curricular Activities
The school holds a large number of extra-curricular clubs, both during lunchtime and after school. Clubs offered are in Sports, such as Football, Hockey, Gymnastics, Tag Rugby, Basketball, Netball and Dodgeball. Curriculum based clubs include Clwb Urdd, Computer Club, English ‘Shooting Stars’, Choir, Eco-committee and Art club. The school also runs a community group called Glan Afan Silver Surfers for senior citizens from the local community every Wednesday from 3.30 - 5pm. The Silver Surfers group have been recognised by the High SheriffHigh Sheriff
A high sheriff is, or was, a law enforcement officer in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.In England and Wales, the office is unpaid and partly ceremonial, appointed by the Crown through a warrant from the Privy Council. In Cornwall, the High Sheriff is appointed by the Duke of...
of West Glamorgan
West Glamorgan
West Glamorgan is a preserved county and former administrative county of Wales, one of the divisions of the ancient county of Glamorgan.West Glamorgan was created on 1 April 1974, by the Local Government Act 1972 from the county borough of Swansea, the municipal boroughs of Neath and Port Talbot,...
and the Wales Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Notable alumni
- Richard BurtonRichard BurtonRichard Burton, CBE was a Welsh actor. He was nominated seven times for an Academy Award, six of which were for Best Actor in a Leading Role , and was a recipient of BAFTA, Golden Globe and Tony Awards for Best Actor. Although never trained as an actor, Burton was, at one time, the highest-paid...
, actor - Richard HibbardRichard HibbardRichard Hibbard , is a Wales international rugby union player. A hooker, he started playing rugby at age grade levels at clubs in the town of Port Talbot, such as; Aberavon Quins RFC & Taibach. He went on to play at senior level for Taibach, Aberavon RFC and Swansea before making his name at the...
, rugby player - James HookJames Hook (rugby player)James William Hook is a Welsh rugby union player for USA Perpignan. Hook is widely regarded as one of the most talented players in world rugby....
- Gareth JonesGareth Jones (conductor)Gareth Jones is a Welsh orchestral and choral conductor.He was born in South Wales and attended Glan Afan Comprehensive School, where he excelled at the piano...
- Andy LeggAndy LeggAndrew "Andy" Legg is a Welsh footballer and Wales international who is currently player-manager of Welsh Premier League side Llanelli. He has previously played for Swansea City, Notts County, Birmingham City, Ipswich Town, Reading, Peterborough United, Cardiff City and Newport County...
, footballer - Michael SheenMichael SheenMichael Christopher Sheen, OBE , is a Welsh stage and screen actor. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England and made his professional debut opposite Vanessa Redgrave in When She Danced at the Globe Theatre in 1991...
, actor - Gordon ThomasGordon ThomasGordon Thomas is a Welsh author who has written fifty-three books. The total sales of his works exceed 45 million copies. Thomas divides his time between his homes in Ireland and England, with his wife, an interior designer...
, Computer Pioneer
Port Talbot County Boys' Grammar School
- David Evans CBE, Principal from 1970-2 of Glamorgan PolytechnicUniversity of GlamorganThe University of Glamorgan is a university based in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales with campuses in Treforest, Glyntaff, Merthyr Tydfil, Tyn y Wern and Cardiff...
- Prof Edward Howel FrancisEdward Howel FrancisHowel Francis is a British geologist, formerly Professor of Earth Sciences, University of Leeds.-References:...
, Professor of Earth Sciences from 1977-89 at the University of LeedsUniversity of LeedsThe University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
, and President from 1980-2 of the Geological Society of LondonGeological Society of LondonThe Geological Society of London is a learned society based in the United Kingdom with the aim of "investigating the mineral structure of the Earth"... - Geraint GriffithsGeraint GriffithsGeraint Griffiths is a Welsh singer songwriter and actor. He has worked mainly in the Welsh language.-Early life and education:Born in Pontrhydyfen, in the Afan Valley, Wales, Griffiths attended Pontrhydyfen Primary school and then moved across to Ysgol Gymraeg Pontrhydyfen when it opened...
, singer - Clive JenkinsClive JenkinsDavid Clive Jenkins was a British trade union leader. "Organising the middle classes", his stated recreation in Who's Who, sums up both his sense of humour and his achievements in the British trade union movement....
, trade union leader, General Secretary from 1970-88 of the Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial StaffsAssociation of Scientific, Technical and Managerial StaffsASTMS - The Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staffs was a British trade union, created in 1969 when ASSET merged with the AScW under the leadership of joint general secretaries: Clive Jenkins of ASSET and John Dutton of the AScW.ASSET, the larger of the two... - Thomas Jenkins CBE, General Secreatry from 1977-82 of the Transport Salaried Staffs' AssociationTransport Salaried Staffs' AssociationThe Transport Salaried Staffs' Association is a trade union for "white collar" workers in the transport industry in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland...
- Gwyn Jones (physicist)Gwyn Jones (physicist)Gwyn Owain Jones CBE was a Welsh physicist and academic, who moved from being a professor at the University of London to become director of the National Museum of Wales.-Life:...
, Director from 1968-77 of the National Museum of Wales, and Professor of Physics from 1953-68 at Queen Mary CollegeQueen Mary, University of LondonQueen Mary, University of London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London... - Illtyd Lloyd, HM Chief Inspector of Schools (Wales) from 1982-90
- Rev Prof W. Moelwyn Merchant, Professor of English from 1961-74 at the University of ExeterUniversity of ExeterThe University of Exeter is a public university in South West England. It belongs to the 1994 Group, an association of 19 of the United Kingdom's smaller research-intensive universities....
- Sir Keith Peters (medicine)Keith Peters (medicine)Sir David Keith Peters FRS FMedSci FRCP FRCPE FRCPath FLSW was Regius Professor of Physic at the University of Cambridge from 1987 to 2005, where he was also head of the School of Clinical Medicine.- Career :...
, Regius Professor of Physic (Cambridge)Regius Professor of Physic (Cambridge)The Regius Professorship of Physic is one of the oldest professorships at the University of Cambridge, founded by Henry VIII in 1540. "Physic" is an old word for medicine, , not physics.-Regius Professors of Physic:...
from 1987-2005, and Chairman from 1994-8 of the National Radiological Protection BoardNational Radiological Protection BoardThe National Radiological Protection Board was a public authority in the UK created by the Radiological Protection Act 1970. Its statutory functions were to conduct research on radiological protection and provide advice and information on the subject to Government Departments and others. It was...
(NRPB) - Charlie PughCharlie PughCharles Henry Pugh was a Welsh international rugby union player who played rugby for three notable Welsh clubs, Aberavon, Maesteg and Neath...
, rugby player - Rt Rev Edwin ReganEdwin ReganEdwin Regan is a Welsh prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the second and current Bishop of Wrexham.-Biography:...
, Bishop of WrexhamBishop of WrexhamThe Bishop of Wrexham is the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wrexham in the Province of Cardiff in Wales.The diocese covers an area of and consists of the Welsh historic counties of Anglesey, Caernarfonshire, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Merionethshire and Montgomeryshire The Bishop of...
since 1994 - Alun ThomasAlun ThomasAlun Gruffydd Thomas was a rugby union centre who played international rugby for Wales between 1952 and 1955. At club level he represented Cardiff, Swansea and Llanelli, and was also selected for invitational tourists The Barbarians...
, rugby player - Prof Brinley Thomas CBE, Professor of Economics from 1946-73 at University College, CardiffCardiff UniversityCardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
- Prof Lancelot Thomas, Professor of Physics from 1981-95 at Aberystwyth UniversityUniversity of Wales, AberystwythAberystwyth University is a university located in Aberystwyth, Wales. Aberystwyth was a founding Member Institution of the former federal University of Wales. As of late 2006, the university had over 12,000 students spread across seventeen academic departments.The university was founded in 1872 as...
- Gerwyn WilliamsGerwyn WilliamsGerwyn Williams was a Welsh rugby union player, coach and author.-Biography:Williams was born in Glyncorrwg, Glamorgan, the son of Ephraim and Catherin Williams...
, rugby player