Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun

Last updated

Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun
Location
Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun
Rhodfa Lawrence

Penywaun
,
Rhondda Cynon Taf
,
CF44 9ES

Wales
Coordinates 51°44′05″N3°29′36″W / 51.7346°N 3.4932°W / 51.7346; -3.4932
Information
TypeSecondary comprehensive
MottoGwir. Gweithgar. Gwych.
Established1995
Local authorityRhondda Cynon Taf
Department for Education URN 401822 Tables
Head teacherLisa Williams
Staff80+
Teaching staff60+
GenderMixed
Age11to 18
Enrolment1030
LanguageWelsh
Houses3
ColoursRed, Black and Gold
Website www.rhydywaun.org

Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun is a Welsh-medium secondary comprehensive school with a sixth form in the Cynon Valley in the village of Penywaun, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, to the northwest of the town of Aberdare.

Contents

The school was established on 1 September 1995 for the increasing numbers of students attending five local Welsh-medium primary schools, who previously had to travel to secondary school in Pontypridd. It provides a Welsh-medium education for pupils from the Cynon Valley and from neighbouring Merthyr Tydfil County Borough, where there is no Welsh-medium secondary school. [1] As of 2025, there were 1030 pupils, including 116 in the sixth form. [2] 17% of pupils speak Welsh at home. [2] 0.9% of pupils have special educational needs, and 12% are eligible for free school meals; both these figures are lower than the national figure for Wales. [2]

School inspections

As of 2025, the school's last inspection by Estyn was in 2021, with the finding that the school provides "stimulating learning experiences in a caring environment where supportive working relationships between staff and pupils form the basis of effective learning". [2] The inspection identified strengths in literacy, supporting children with special educational needs, leadership, pastoral care, improving attendance and extra-curricular activities. [2] Inspectors praised the school's vision and framework, called "Ffordd Rhydywaun". Areas for improvement were self-evaluation, financial management and challenge by governors. [2] The school's previous performance rating from Estyn was Adequate, and the school at that time was rated Amber for its need for support. [3] [4]

Buildings

In 2021, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council announced a plan to improve the school's buildings at a cost of £12 million, adding capacity for an additional 187 pupils. [5] The main part of the work was completed in September 2022, with some continuing into 2023. [6]

Sport

The school has a rugby union team, and competes in the East Wales Premier League (North). [7]

Houses

There are three houses, Cynon, Dâr and Taf, named after the local rivers, Cynon, Dare and Taff.

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ Lewis, Anthony (13 September 2019). "Parents launch Welsh language drive in Merthyr Tydfil". Wales Online .
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "A report on Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun" (PDF). Estyn. March 2025. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  3. ↑ "A report on Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun" (PDF). Estyn. November 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun". Wales Online. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  5. ↑ Blundell, Steph (5 August 2021). "Willmott Dixon bags £12m Ysgol Rhydywaun school". Planning, Building & Construction Today. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun". Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  7. ↑ "Pennant Walters provides funding boost to Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun rugby team". AberdareOnline. 28 October 2025. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  8. ↑ "Schoolboy rivals Ian Evans and Andrew Coombs happy to be reunited for Wales". Wales Online. 9 February 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  9. 1 2 Thomas, Simon (9 January 2017). "How Thomas Young became Welsh rugby's most talked about player". Wales Online. Retrieved 28 October 2025.


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