Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth facts for kids
Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth is a primary school in Aberystwyth, Wales. It teaches students using the Welsh language. The school first opened in 1939. It was started by Sir Ifan ab Owen Edwards as a private school. Its first name was Ysgol Gymraeg yr Urdd. This school was the very first Welsh-speaking school in all of Wales. The first headteacher was a famous writer named Norah Isaac.
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What is Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth?
Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth is a primary school. It is located in the town of Aberystwyth. This town is known for its university. The school teaches children aged 3 to 11 years old. It is a co-educational school, meaning both boys and girls attend.
How Did the School Start and Grow?
When the school first opened in 1939, it had only seven students. Over the years, it has grown a lot. Now, more than 400 children go to this school. The number of students grew quickly in the 1980s and 1990s. This happened because parents started to see how good it was for their children to learn in two languages.
Why is Bilingual Education Important?
Bilingual education means learning in two languages. At Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth, most students speak Welsh very well. About 95% of them speak Welsh like it's their first language. However, only 65% of the students come from homes where Welsh is spoken all the time. This shows how important the school is for keeping the Welsh language strong.
Who Works at the School?
Today, the school has many dedicated staff members. There are 18 teachers who guide the students. More than 20 assistants help in the classrooms. There are also 15 other staff members who help the school run smoothly.
What Makes the School Excellent?
In 2016, a group called Estyn checked the school. Estyn looks at how well schools in Wales are doing. They found that Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth was excellent in every way. The report said that the teaching and learning experiences were very high quality. It also noted that the support for students' well-being was amazing.
Notable People Connected to the School
Many interesting people have been part of Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth.
Famous Authors and Media Personalities
- Mary Vaughan Jones was a well-known Welsh children's author. She taught at the school from 1953 to 1958.
- Aled Haydn Jones was a student at the school. He later became a producer for BBC radio. He worked on The Chris Moyles Show.
- Gareth James is the current deputy headteacher. He is also a former author.