Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun

Last updated

Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun
Location
Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun
Rhodfa Lawrence

, ,
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.