Ysgol Brynaerau

Our vision at Ysgol Brynaerau is to provide a school where all pupils, staff, Governors and the wider community collaborate so as to create a welcoming, stimulating and safe environment, so as to encourage effective learning. The aim is to nurture a sense of pride in the child, the school and the community.

Every individual within the school community is appreciated and respected and we place a special pride of place and emphasis on celebrating achievements. We try and achieve this through providing a diverse, well-balanced and enriching Curriculum that provides plenty of engaging, diverse learning experiences and current and enriching resources to spur a natural curiosity in every child, irrespective of ability, race or gender. This, in turn, will equip the pupils for their future as local and global citizens. Firm roots are laid in their immediate environs, and their sense of Welshness, loyalty towards the local community and their heritage whilst at the same time developing respect towards other faiths and cultures.

The children, their education, their well-being and their ability to contribute towards school related decisions is a priority at Ysgol Brynaerau. The children’s active participation in their learning and what is taught is crucial and their suggestions steer a change in the school’s environment.

The school is situated on a hill above the village of Pontllyfni, in the parish of Clynnog Fawr. The school’s pupils come from neighbouring villages including Pontllyfni, Clynnog Fawr, Gyrn Goch, Capel Uchaf, Bwlch Derwin and Brynaerau. From the school there are excellent views of the Eifl mountains, and of course of the sea. The current school was established in 1912, and before that time, lessons were provided at Brynaerau chapel vestry. (1905). It is one of two outdoor plan schools in Gwynedd. 61 children currently attend the school.

The School Council have collaborated with the Governors and the Friends of the School so as to ensure that the school environment supports the school’s diverse learning experiences whilst also reflecting the children’s aspirations and opinion when improving the school.

The school serves a wide community and every effort is made at all times to ensure that every pupil feels part of the school family. We take pride in that the majority of visitors to the schools recognize the sense of friendship and discipline to be found here and how new pupils settle down happily and soon. A happy and hard-working environment is established based on mutual respect and care between teachers and pupils, and between pupils, that enables a child to take a positive attitude and develop self-confidence as well as positive self-esteem so that he shows self-respect and respects others.