Ysgol Gyfun Gymunedol Penweddig
Encyclopedia
Penweddig Community Secondary School is a successful Welsh-language secondary school in Aberystwyth
, Wales
. The school was established in 1973 and now educates girls and boys between the ages of 11 and 18 through the medium of Welsh. The school was the first Welsh language secondary school in Ceredigion and is named after the cantref of (Penweddig
), the northern part of the kingdom of Ceredigion
, between the rivers Dyfi
and Ystwyth
.
The school has approximately 550 pupils aged 11 – 16 and 120 students in aged 16 – 18. During the last Estyn
school inspection it was reported that 50% of the school's pupils were from homes where Welsh was not the main language.
The school is led by the recently-appointed headmaster Gwenallt Llwyd Ifan and deputy heads Carol Izri and Carwyn Davies. Shelagh Byers, an assistant head, is currently on secondment. The school's building is owned by Atkins
and is leased by the school, as an example of a private finance initiative
.
When the school was started in the mid-70s the school was housed in Ffordd Dewi, Aberystwyth. In October 2001, following a lengthy consultation with parents, staff and pupils, the school moved to its current home in Llanbadarn Road.
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
, 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...
. The school was established in 1973 and now educates girls and boys between the ages of 11 and 18 through the medium of Welsh. The school was the first Welsh language secondary school in Ceredigion and is named after the cantref of (Penweddig
Penweddig (place)
Penweddig was a medieval cantref of the kingdom of Ceredigion , which is now in the county of Ceredigion, Wales. The community secondary school Penweddig is named after the cantref....
), the northern part of the kingdom of Ceredigion
Kingdom of Ceredigion
The Kingdom of Ceredigion was one of several Welsh kingdoms that emerged in 5th-century post-Roman Britain. Its area corresponded roughly to that of the modern county of Ceredigion. The kingdom's hilly geography made it difficult for foreign invaders to conquer. Cardigan Bay bordered to the west...
, between the rivers Dyfi
River Dyfi
The River Dyfi is a river in Mid Wales. The Dyfi estuary forms the border between the counties of Gwynedd and Ceredigion.- Source :...
and Ystwyth
River Ystwyth
The River Ystwyth is a river in the county of Ceredigion, Wales. Its source is a number of streams that include the Afon Diliw, located on the border of Ceredigion and Powys in the Cambrian Mountains....
.
The school has approximately 550 pupils aged 11 – 16 and 120 students in aged 16 – 18. During the last Estyn
Estyn
Estyn is the education and training inspectorate for Wales. Its name comes from the Welsh language verb meaning "to extend". Its mission is to achieve excellence for all in learning in Wales by providing an independent, high quality inspection and advice service to the Welsh Assembly Government and...
school inspection it was reported that 50% of the school's pupils were from homes where Welsh was not the main language.
The school is led by the recently-appointed headmaster Gwenallt Llwyd Ifan and deputy heads Carol Izri and Carwyn Davies. Shelagh Byers, an assistant head, is currently on secondment. The school's building is owned by Atkins
Atkins
-Places in the United States:* Atkins, Arkansas, a city* Atkins, Iowa, a city* Atkins, Virginia, a census-designated place* Atkins, Wisconsin, an unincorporated community* Atkins Peak, in Yellowstone National Park-Other uses:*Atkins...
and is leased by the school, as an example of a private finance initiative
Private Finance Initiative
The private finance initiative is a way of creating "public–private partnerships" by funding public infrastructure projects with private capital...
.
When the school was started in the mid-70s the school was housed in Ffordd Dewi, Aberystwyth. In October 2001, following a lengthy consultation with parents, staff and pupils, the school moved to its current home in Llanbadarn Road.
School values
Penweddig school has four core values that all staff and pupils are expected to hold.- To respect one's self and others.
- To respect belongings and the environment of the school.
- To respect the school and school faculty.
- To use the Welsh language as much as possible.
School council
The school council is formed before the autumn half term holidays, and meets regularly to discuss improvements to the school, be it physically or structurally. It comprises two representatives from every school year (one male, one female) elected by the whole of the respective year, and two permanent members representing the local youth service (also pupils). The council is mentored by the deputy headteacher, who is currently Mme Carol Izri.Notable former pupils
Famous alumni of the school include:- Aled Haydn JonesAled Haydn JonesAled Haydn Jones is a Welsh radio producer and radio presenter. Since 2004 he has worked on The Chris Moyles Show.-Personal history:...
of Chris Moyles' Radio 1 showThe Chris Moyles ShowThe Chris Moyles Show is the current BBC Radio 1 breakfast show in the UK, and has been since Chris Moyles became the station's breakfast show presenter on 5 January 2004. From 2004 to 2007, the show was broadcast 6:55–10:00 am each weekday, but since 15 October 2007 it has started from... - Race Horses, formerly known as Radio Luxembourg - a successful Welsh band who performed at Glastonbury FestivalGlastonbury FestivalThe Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
in 2007