Cwmtawe Community School (in

Welsh Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, referring or related to Wales * Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales * Welsh people People * Welsh (surname) * Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peop ...

: ''Ysgol Gymunedol Cwmtawe'') Formerly known as Pontardawe Technical School and Cwmtawe Comprehensive School, is a modern

English-medium An English-medium education system is one that uses English as the primary medium of instruction—particularly where English is not the mother tongue of the students. Initially this is associated with the expansion of English from its homeland ...

education

comprehensive school A comprehensive school typically describes a secondary school for pupils aged approximately 11–18, that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude, in contrast to a selective school system where admission is res ...

in Pontardawe,

South Wales South Wales ( cy, De Cymru) is a loosely defined region of Wales bordered by England to the east and mid Wales to the north. Generally considered to include the historic counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire, south Wales extends westwards ...

. The school moved to newly built premises in 1996. Its old building was used by the local Welsh-language primary school, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pontardawe, until it was demolished in 2010. Cwmtawe recently won an award for

environmentally friendly Environment friendly processes, or environmental-friendly processes (also referred to as eco-friendly, nature-friendly, and green), are sustainability and marketing terms referring to goods and services, laws, guidelines and policies that clai ...

schools, based on school improvements, community and curriculum links, saving money, and raising environmental awareness. Although Cwmtawe is not a Welsh-medium school,

is taught at second-language level, as it is mandatory under the National Curriculum that all Welsh school children up to age 16 be taught the language. Cwmtawe has very good

Key Stage 3 Key Stage 3 (commonly abbreviated as KS3) is the legal term for the three years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales normally known as Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9, when pupils are aged between 11 and 14. In Northern Ireland the ...

and

GCSE The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academic qualification in a particular subject, taken in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. State schools in Scotland use the Scottish Qualifications Certificate instead. Private sc ...

results exceeding the targets set in Wales's national standards. In 2000, it was in 113th place in

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...

for GCSE passes (based on 5 GCSEs, grades A*-C). Since then, examination results have improved dramatically; according to the latest inspection report by

Estyn Estyn is the education and training inspectorate for Wales. Its name comes from the Welsh language verb ''estyn'' meaning "to reach (out), stretch or extend". Its function is to provide an independent inspection and advice service on quality ...

, the school has a GCSE pass rate of 73%, putting it in 12th place and within the top 10% of all schools in

Feeder primary schools

The feeder

primary school A primary school (in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and South Africa), junior school (in Australia), elementary school or grade school (in North America and the Philippines) is a school for primary e ...

s for Cwmtawe are: * Alltwen Primary School * Godre'r Graig Primary School * Llangiwg Primary School * Rhos Primary School * Rhydyfro Primary School * Tairgwaith Primary School

Notable former pupils

* Bleddyn Bowen, rugby union player * Aled Brew, rugby union player * Loren Dykes, football player * Gareth Edwards, rugby union player * James Griffiths, rugby union player * Robert Jones, rugby union player * Sir Clive Lewis, Court of Appeal Judge *

Elgan Rees Harold Elgan Rees (born 5 January 1954) is a Welsh former international rugby union player. Rugby career Rees toured with the British & Irish Lions to New Zealand in 1977, when he had yet to be capped by Wales, and South Africa in 1980 and at ...

, rugby union player *

Arwel Thomas Arwel Camber Thomas (born 8 November 1974) is a native of Trebanos in Swansea Valley. He is a former Wales international rugby union player. An outside-half, he played his club rugby for Swansea RFC. Career Arwel Thomas won his first of his 23 ...

, rugby union player * Justin Tipuric, rugby union player *

Lewy Williams Lewis “Lewy” Williams (born 18 January 2002 in Swansea) is a Welsh professional darts player who currently plays in the Professional Darts Corporation events. Born in Swansea, Williams moved to Liverpool, where he has trained as a barber. ...

, professional darts player

External links

Cwmtawe Community School's websiteNeath Port Talbot County Borough Council Education Page

References

{{authority control Secondary schools in Neath Port Talbot Educational institutions established in 1969 1969 establishments in Wales