Cynwyl Elfed Primary School

Choosing the right school for your child is vitally important. Most parents want a good education for their children but they also want them to be happy and to feel safe and secure. At CynwylElfed Primary School we believe we can offer all these things. We pride ourselves on the broad, balanced and full education we provide at both the Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2 and the high standards of teaching and learning are a credit to the hard work of both staff and pupils. Equally we are also proud of the atmosphere of friendliness and co-operation which is always evident. Many visitors to the school comment on the warm welcome they receive and the politeness and maturity of our pupils.

We do value our pupils and we believe that their time in school should be rewarding and fulfilling. Should you choose to send your child to Cynwylelfed School, We are fully confident that you will have made the right decision. If you have any queries or concerns in regard to the school or should your child be unhappy with any aspect of school life, please contact the school immediately.

The present building was opened in 1976. It consists of classrooms, quiet rooms, a library and a hall that is also used as a canteen and gymnasium. A modern kitchen leads from the hall. The school grounds consist of a tarmac playground and extensive grassland.

It is a mixed county primary school, teaching children from 3 - 11 years of age. Children are admitted to school at the beginning of the term in which they reach their fourth birthday, and they are transferred to Bro Myrddin Bilingual Comprehensive School, or Queen Elizabeth High School Carmarthen in the September following their eleventh birthday. Parents, however, have the right to send their children to any secondary school of their choice, following consultation with the Education Department.

The school is classed as a 'Category 1' school which means that Welsh is the main medium of life and work in the Foundation Phase and Key Stage 1 (KS1), to ensure that the children acquire a sound foundation in the language. We emphasise however, that we treat children with an English background with great sensitivity, ensuring that they understand, feel secure and happy, and progress to the best of their ability. Needless to say therefore, English is spoken as necessary. In Key Stage 2 (KS2), there is a strong element of bilingualism in the teaching to ensure that the children are prepared for further education at secondary schools in the language medium of those schools.

The aim of this bilingual policy is to teach children to be totally bilingual by the time they leave primary school, and this school is remarkably successful in this matter. Results at secondary schools show that bilingual education promotes later success in foreign languages.