Ysgol Cynwyd Sant

It is the aim of Ysgol Cynwyd Sant to create a safe and happy environment where every child is given the opportunity to fulfil his/her potential. The school is situated in an elevated position above the town of Maesteg in the Llynfi valley, and children from a number of villages in the surrounding area attend the school. We are a primary school, with children from 3 to 11 years of age. On leaving us, year six pupils proceed to the local Welsh medium comprehensive school Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd. This is the school badge, which contains an Oak leaf, representing past history of the school. Before moving to its present site, the school was called "Ysgol Tyderwen". Our school is a Welsh medium school, with children from both Welsh speaking and non Welsh speaking homes attending.

The Foundation Phase curriculum is planned as a progressive framework that spans four years (3 to 7 years) to meet the diverse needs of all children, including those who are at an earlier stage of development and those who are more able. Children learn through first-hand experiential activities with the serious business of ‘play’ providing the vehicle.

Through their play, children practise and consolidate their learning, play with ideas, experiment, take risks, solve problems, and make decisions individually, in small and in large groups. First-hand experiences allow children to develop an understanding of themselves and the world in which they live. The development of children’s self-image and feelings of self-worth and self-esteem are at the core of this phase.

The school develops pupils’ social and cultural skills very successfully. A very strong emphasis is placed on developing pupils’ selfconfidence by encouraging them to take responsibility for their own learning, work with others and use their thinking skills effectively to solve problems. The school has comprehensive procedures for ensuring care, support and guidance for pupils.

This has a positive effect on their standards and wellbeing; for example, pupils receive valuable lessons on how to stay safe on the internet as a natural part of their ICT lessons. The school’s provision for developing pupils’ spiritual and cultural attitudes is very effective, for example through collective worship sessions. By welcoming visitors from foreign countries to the school, staff reinforce pupils’ understanding of different cultures and beliefs successfully.

We aim to ensure that all children:

• have a flying start in life and the best possible basis for their future growth and development
• have access to a comprehensive range of education, training and learning opportunities, including acquisition of essential personal and social skills
• enjoy the best possible physical and mental, social and emotional health, including freedom from abuse, victimisation and exploitation
• have access to play, leisure, sporting and cultural activities
• are listened to, treated with respect, and are able to have their race and cultural identity recognised