Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf |
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Main entrance to reception
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| Address | |
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Bridge Road
, CF14 2JL
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| Coordinates | 51°30′04″N 3°13′34″W / 51.50120°N 3.22605°W |
| Information | |
| Type | State school |
| Motto | 'Coron Gwlad Ei Mamiaith' ('A Country's Crown is Her Mother Tongue') |
| Established | 1978 |
| Department for Education URN | 401885 Tables |
| Head Teacher | Matthew Evans |
| Gender | All |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrolment | 1,453 (2023) |
| Houses | Dewi, Dyfrig, Illtud, Teilo |
| Colour(s) | Light and dark blue |
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf is a secondary school in Llandaff North, a part of Cardiff, Wales. It is a Welsh-medium school, which means most lessons are taught in the Welsh language. It is the largest Welsh-medium secondary school in Wales.
Glantaf was the first of three Welsh-medium secondary schools in Cardiff. The other two are Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern. In 2017, about 36% of students came from homes where Welsh was spoken.
Contents
School History and Growth
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf started in 1978. At first, it shared a building with an English-language school called Glantaf High School. Over time, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf grew and took over the whole building.
Head Teachers Over the Years
The first head teacher was J E Malcolm Thomas. He retired in 1995. Huw S Thomas then became the head teacher. Later, Rhiannon Lloyd took over as headmistress. In September 2010, Alun Davies became the head teacher. Matthew Evans joined the school as head teacher in September 2020. He came from Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur.
Expansion and School Sites
By the mid-1980s, many more students joined the school. Because of this, the school needed more space. From 1986, the younger students (Years 7 and 8) went to a separate building. This building was the old Waterhall School in Fairwater. It was called Ysgol Isaf, meaning "Lower School". This arrangement continued until 1998. That year, Cardiff's second Welsh-medium school, Ysgun Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr, opened. After that, all of Glantaf's students were back in the main Llandaff North building.
Welsh Language in Education
Education in Wales has some differences from other parts of the United Kingdom. Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf is a Welsh-medium school. This means that all subjects, except English language and literature, are taught in Welsh. The school also encourages students to speak Welsh outside of lessons. This helps students become fluent in the language. Older students in the sixth form can take the Welsh Baccalaureate exam.
School Spirit and Values
The school's motto is Coron Gwlad Ei Mamiaith. This means 'A Country's Crown is Her Mother Tongue'. The school colours are light blue and dark blue.
School Houses and Competitions
The school has four houses. They are named after Welsh saints:
Every year, these houses compete in "Gŵyl Glantaf" (Glantaf Festival). This festival includes a sports day. It also has a day for singing, playing music, reciting poems, and other events. These events are similar to the traditional Welsh Eisteddfod festival.
Student Achievements
In 2008, 76% of students aged 15 to 16 achieved five or more top grades (A* - C) in their GCSE exams. Also, 76% of students aged 17 to 18 achieved two or more top grades (A - C) in their A/AS level exams.
Awards and Recognition
In 2019, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf was named Welsh Secondary School of the Year by the Sunday Times newspaper.
Famous Former Students
Arts and Media
- Gareth Bonello, musician
- Huw Bunford, musician (from Super Furry Animals)
- Siân Grigg, Hollywood make-up artist
- Ioan Gruffudd, actor
- Ffion Hague, broadcaster and author
- Mali Harries, actress
- Daf James, novelist and scriptwriter
- Gethin Jones, television presenter
- Paul Carey Jones, opera singer
- Llwyd Owen, Welsh-language author
- Owen Powell, musician (from Catatonia)
- Guto Pryce, musician (from Super Furry Animals)
- Iwan Rheon, actor
- Matthew Rhys, actor
- Huw Stephens, radio presenter and DJ
- Jeremy Huw Williams, opera singer
- Rhodri Williams, sports journalist
- Dyfed Wyn-Evans, opera singer
- Siôn Daniel Young, actor
Sports Stars
- Theo Cabango, rugby union player
- Seb Davies, rugby union player
- Tom Isaacs, rugby union player
- Darius Jokarzadeh, Olympic weightlifter
- Manon Johnes, women's rugby union player
- Max Llewellyn, rugby union player
- Ioan Lloyd, rugby union player
- Rhys Patchell, rugby union player
- Jamie Roberts, rugby union player
- Jamie Robinson, rugby union player
- Nicky Robinson, rugby union player
- Lee Thomas, rugby union player
- Teddy Williams (rugby union), rugby union player
Politics
- Rhys ab Owen, Member of the Senedd (Welsh Parliament)
- Eluned Morgan, Member of the Senedd and Welsh First Minister
See also
- Emyr Currie-Jones, who helped start the school
