Working Together, Achieving More
Cydweithio a Chyflawni

Headteacher: Mr P. Grimes

Tudor Street, Ystradgynlais, Swansea, SA9 1AP

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01639 842115

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At Ysgol Maesydderwen we believe it is important for learners to take ownership of their learning and have an important role in the school’s decision making.  Our School Council consists of two tiers: Tier 1 - Form Representatives and Tier Two - School Council.

Form Representatives: Each form elects two pupils to represent them and to pass on their views and ideas to the full School Council.

School Council:  Following the election of the Form Representatives, each Form Rep elects two learners from the Form Reps to represent their year group. These learners make up the School Council and each year has two representatives on the School Council.

At Ysgol Maesydderwen, the School Council meets regularly to discuss various school issues and the meetings are chaired by members of the school’s Sixth-Form.  In recent years they have discussed a number of different issues from the timing of the school day to the school uniform and are actively involved in the appointment of school staff.  The views of the School Council are shared regularly at meetings with the School Leadership Team and they play a very important role in the running of the school.

Student Council

Partner Primary Schools

The school admits pupils from the age of 11 years old from the following catchment primary schools, with whom we have a very close working relationship and an excellent transition programme:

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Ysgol Bro Tawe

Ysgol y Cribarth

We also accept pupils from outside the catchment area, providing numbers do not exceed the admission limit.  All applications must be made via Powys County Council however, parents are encouraged to contact the school directly to organise visits.

Starting at a new school is a big step in any child’s life and it can be a very exciting and daunting time.  Our aim during this period of transition is to make the process as smooth as possible for pupils and parents.  Our staff visit our partner primary schools regularly to meet with pupils and staff and answer any questions Year 5 and 6 pupils may have about the school.  There is an annual Open Evening for parents and primary pupils in the Autumn Term.  This is an excellent opportunity to visit the school, meet the teachers, interact with current pupils, take part in various activities and enjoy our facilities.

Our transition project and visit in the Summer Term gives Year 6 pupils a taste of what life in Maesydderwen is like.  In addition, parents and carers are invited to a meeting to ease the transition process.

Click Here for Transition Plan (Maesydderwen Cluster)

Ysgol Colwg y Cwm

Ysgol Cymraeg Dyffryn y Glowyr

School Admissions

All applications for Years 7-11 admission must be made via Powys County Council.  Further information is available on the local authority website:

https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/1158/Applying-for-a-School-Place

or alternatively contact the school admissions team:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 01597 826477

Facebook: www.facebook.com/powyscc

Twitter: twitter.com/powyscc

For Sixth Form Admissions, please contact the school directly and visit the Powys Future Pathways website:

https://www.powyslearningpathways.wales/home

For further information about the school, please download a copy of the school prospectus.  If you would like to come and have a look around the school and meet with a member of our team, then please contact us.  

Community Outreach

Ysgol Maesydderwen has a rich history of engagement with the local community. We have fostered many lasting relationships with local groups and organisations which have provided mutual benefit, both to the development and experiences of our pupils but also enriching the lives of members of our local community.

We pride ourselves on the generosity and enthusiasm our pupils show in raising awareness of important local and national issues, with fundraising campaigns happening each term for selected charitable causes. These include a yearly Harvest collection for the local food bank based in the Ystradgynlais Volunteer Centre and a themed charity week each year, where the proceeds are donated to a charity selected by the Sixth Form Head Team.

Links with local sporting organisations, including Cwmtwrch AFC, Ystradgynlais RFC, Cwmtawe Ladies Hockey and Swansea Valley Rugby, have resulted in a wide-range of opportunities for pupils as well as the school’s involvement in fundraising events in the wider community. Our working partnership with Freedom Leisure has also created an effective collaborative approach to providing the best sport and leisure development opportunities for the whole community.

Remembrance Day and Christmas celebrations have also fostered a great relationship with our local British Legion and St Cynog’s Church respectively.

The Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate has also enhanced our links with local organisations and businesses, with pupils regularly establishing voluntary projects across the area for their Community Challenge, most successfully in our local care homes, Scouts Groups and through Abercraf Fire station. Dan yr Ogaf caves have also been a key contributor to our yearly Enterprise Day, as well as a regular provider of work experience opportunities, along with a range of local businesses.

Extra Curricular

Extra-curricular activities are a very popular aspect of pupil life at Ysgol Maesydderwen and underpin the development of the whole individual, as a healthy and confident contributor to the world.

We offer a range of opportunities for pupils to expand their interests and talents outside of the classroom environment throughout the school year. These traditionally range from Music, Drama, Art, D&T, Humanities, Eco Clubs and revision sessions for KS4 classes during lunchtime and after school sessions to participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme, as well as a diverse list of sporting activities, including gymnastics, athletics, cricket, dance, girls football and badminton to accompany the more traditional team sports.

Trips are another key element on offer as part of the extracurricular opportunities at Ysgol Maesydderwen. Regular trips to London, Europe and America are organised across different subject areas. Popular destinations include New York, Berlin, Rome, Barcelona, Disneyland Paris and the battlefields of WWI in Belgium and northern France. Each year Sixth Form students have the ability to apply to the Lessons from Auschwitz programme, which includes a day trip to Poland, while conquering the Alps on our biennial ski trip is a firm favourite amongst pupils.  Local experiences are also on offer each year, including a variety of day trips and overnight excursions to places such as Llangrannog and North Wales.  

Community Links

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