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Facilities & Student Support



The buildings are, surrounded by lawns, gardens and farmland on a beautiful site near Three Cocks/Aberllynfi.

The extensive landscaped grounds are popular with pupils to relax in during breaktimes.

We offer a high quality of education from eleven through to GCSE and A level. The external inspection stated "The quality of teaching is a major strength of the school” and “Gwernyfed is a successful school. It is successful in terms of academic achievement, teaching, the ethos of the school and in the quality of the wide range of extra-curricular activities.”

The school currently has over 600 pupils on roll, (including a Sixth Form of 80 students). Annually over 85% of the pupils continue their education beyond 16 and over 90% of the Sixth Form go on to university, including Oxford and Cambridge .

Excellent Support

Gwernyfed has a pleasant, friendly ethos. All members of our community are valued. We offer opportunities to succeed and do well but at the same time to enjoy school. We try to work as a partnership of pupils, parents and teachers to maximise our pupils' talents. The team that inspected us in November 2001 described the ethos of Gwernyfed as “one of it’s strengths and reflects a clear sense of shared values. All concerned with the school work together to create a happy and caring community.”

Our size is ideal. We are just large enough for us to group pupils in appropriate ability groups and to offer a real range of choice at GCSE level, but remain small enough for our pupils to know each other and their teachers well. Our small size helps provide a warm, friendly atmosphere with a tremendous family spirit. At our last inspection, inspectors reported that “The quality of support and guidance and the procedures for promoting pupils’ welfare are good. The school’s pastoral system operates well and pupils consider the school to be a friendly, caring and supportive community.

New pupils are placed in a mixed ability form group, where possible with friends from primary school. Each group is cared for by a form tutor and Mrs Meredith (Assistant Headteacher) supported by a Year Manager. The team of Year Managers is led by a Senior Pastoral Manager. These are supported by Mr Hughes (Assistant Headteacher) Mr Gittoes (Deputy Headteacher) and Mr Hopkins (Headteacher). The progress of pupils is carefully checked and monitored with attention paid to their personal development as well as their academic progress. Pupils will find all staff very supportive. Any problems are discussed with parents.

Pupils may initially be taught in classes based on ability, for most subjects, moving to different sets depending upon progress or need for extra support. In most subjects this process starts early in the Autumn term.

Notice of parents' evenings to be held at the school is sent by letter and the pupils make appointments with their teachers for you. Senior staff are present at these evenings and you are welcome to discuss any school related issues with them.