Allowing pupils to lead the way results in a successful school at Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbran where children love to learn as RUTH MANSFIELD finds out.

GREETED by statues of three bears as you enter Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbran, it is clear from the start that this Welsh school is all about learning through play and fun.

With an average day including playing a musical instrument, carrying out a bit of gardening or even dressing up as a bear to shoot a film, pupils are constantly kept entertained and eager to learn.

And with head teacher Edward Jones also encouraging the pupils themselves to give their own input into how the school is run and advertised, this adds to the aim of the school to make each pupil feel individual, important and worthwhile.

All pupils at the school from the ages of three to 11 are taught in Welsh and are always encouraged to show pride in their ability to speak Welsh.

This is despite many of them coming from families which speak English at home.

Mr Jones said: “It is amazing how you will hear a lot of pupils speaking English at the school gates as they arrive in the morning but then as soon as they step into the playground it is all Welsh. It is brilliant to see.”

One of the main projects currently being carried out at this Welsh school is the making of a film to promote the school to prospective pupils and parents.

The video, which the children have filmed and produced with the help of staff from Newport’s Fourteen Locks Canal Centre, sees the children portray the statues of the three bears outside coming to life.

The three bears, played by three pupils dressed in costumes in the Welsh colours of red, white and green, then enjoy a day in the school with the pupils before returning back to statues.

The pupils have also edited the film and added their own special effects to make sure the production is exactly how they want it.

Mr Jones said: “We just thought it was a really good idea as we have lots of parents who are not entirely sure of what the school is about. This allowed the pupils themselves to show them in their own way.”

The school’s council also allows pupils to have a say in what they want in the school and has led to items including a salad bar brought into the school with the help of Torfaen council.

A fruit tuck shop has also been added as well as an adventure trail in the playground emphasising the children’s keenness to improve their health and fitness.

The school’s eco-committee also plays a part in ensuring the school remains environmentally friendly including placing recycling bins around the building and assessing which classes and individuals have performed best and worst each week with regards to recycling to ensure everyone plays their part in keeping the school green.

The committee members also help to maintain the school garden at the front of the school.

It is not just keeping the school organised where the pupils are successful though.

The school choir recently enjoyed travelling over to Dublin to take part in the International Choral Festival, Cork, and also performed in this year’s National Eisteddfod held in Ebbw Vale.

A Welsh festival in Disneyland Paris as well as the finals of S4C choir competition Côr Cymru also adds to the choir’s list of achievements.

Not forgetting their local community, they also regularly perform at local concerts and in nursing homes.

A composing club is also run in the school where children can compose their own tunes and a number also play musical instruments including the harp as well as a piano group which often performs in the school’s assemblies.

Other after school groups includes the Urdd club where children learn fun activities such as creative dance as well as sports clubs.

Clwb y Tri Arth (Three Bears Club) is also a Welsh medium club provided at the school and led by teaching assistants allowing the children to take part in a variety of activities.

Making sure that throughout all this, the school remains in the modern day, the school has invested in Apple Mac computers which are used by older pupils as well as enough laptops so that one can be shared between every four pupils.

This has allowed some of the pupils to be set up and exchanging e-mails with schools in countries including Italy and America.

Deputy headteacher, Catrin Evans said: “It allows the pupils to learn about other countries in a fun way.”

An up-to-date school website also ensures the school is working in the 21st century and ensures all the pupils and parents are constantly kept well informed on everything from school closures to term dates and, of course, constantly able to check out all the success stories emerging from their school.

Factfile

Number of pupils: 360
Ages: Three to 11
Head teacher: Edward Jones
No. of staff 27
Chairman of governors: Alun Page

Inspection Report

Last inspection: October 2005.

Inspectors said: "There is a very good ethos in the school. It is a happy and caring school with clear aims which consistently concentrate on the needs of the pupils.

There is a strong culture of trust between the governors, the headteacher, the management team, staff and parents.

They all have high expectations in relation to the life and work of the school."

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