Key milestone for area’s first all-age Welsh medium school

A key milestone for Ysgol Bro Caereinion transitioning to a Welsh medium all-age school has been reached with all Year 7 pupils now being taught in Welsh. 

The county council described it as ‘an important step forward’ in strengthening opportunities for children and young people to access Welsh-medium education within their local community.

The school has been transitioning from a dual-stream all-age school to a Welsh-medium all-age school on a phased basis, with the school championing the way for others across the county.

The development represents a major investment in the future of the Welsh language in North Powys and supports the council’s ambition to increase the number of confident Welsh speakers across the county.

The school’s transformation has been supported through targeted workforce development, Welsh language training for staff, innovative teacher recruitment initiatives and the introduction of specialist Welsh-language immersion provision.

The recent introduction of specialist Welsh-medium late immersion provision for Year 7 learners offers an inclusive pathway for pupils who are new to Welsh or who have not previously attended Welsh-medium primary education. This ensures that access to Welsh-medium education remains open to all families.

Cllr James Gibson-Watt, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “This is a landmark moment for education in the county. It demonstrates our long-term commitment to increasing access to Welsh-medium education and creating opportunities for young people to become confident and ambitious bilingual citizens.

“This achievement is the result of the dedication and vision of school leaders, staff, governors, learners, families and partners who have worked together to make this ambition a reality.”

Anwen Orrells, Headteacher of Ysgol Bro Caereinion, said: “As a school, we are immensely proud to be at the forefront of providing a fully inclusive Welsh-medium education, reflecting our unwavering commitment to ensuring that every pupil can thrive academically, socially and emotionally through the Welsh language. We believe that Welsh-medium education is not only a means of learning, but a powerful opportunity to enrich lives, strengthen identity and open doors to future success.

“Parents and pupils can be confident in this approach. The majority of pupils within our current Welsh-medium provision already come from non-Welsh-speaking homes, demonstrating that language is never a barrier to achievement. Through high-quality teaching and a rich range of academic, cultural and sporting opportunities, all pupils are supported to make excellent progress and to reach their full potential.

“In an increasingly connected world, the ability to speak more than one language is a tremendous asset. Multilingualism develops confidence, resilience, creativity and problem-solving skills, while also enhancing future educational and career opportunities. We are proud to equip our pupils with these lifelong advantages while nurturing a deep appreciation of the Welsh language and culture.”

The development forms part of a broader programme of Welsh-medium education expansion across Powys and contributes to national ambitions to reach one million Welsh speakers.

With learners now able to access Welsh-medium education throughout their school career within the Ysgol Bro Caereinion community, the school is helping to secure a strong and sustainable future for the Welsh language in North Powys.

Parents are invited to Ysgol Bro Caereinion’s open evening at 6pm on Tuesday (tomorrow) in the Leisure Centre Hall. There will be a short presentation and then an opportunity to talk with pupils and staff as they tour the school and experience pupils’ journey ‘O'n Bro, I'r Byd’ (from the locality to the world).

If parents and carers are interested in Welsh-medium education for their children, they can find information, support and case studies at https://en.powys.gov.uk/destinationbilingual.

The application deadline for secondary school places is October 30, and for primary schools it’s January 15, 2027. Applications can be made through  https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/1158/Applying-for-a-School-Place

PICTURE: Several Year 7 Ysgol Bro Caereinion pupils enjoying a trip to Glanllyn