Ysgol Brynrefail is a bilingual comprehensive school for pupils aged 11–18. It is situated in

Llanrug Llanrug (or Llanfihangel-yn-y-grug) is a medium-sized village and community in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. It lies about to the east of Caernarfon, south of Bangor and northwest of Llanberis. It is the largest populated village in the Arfon ...

Gwynedd Gwynedd (; ) is a county and preserved county (latter with differing boundaries; includes the Isle of Anglesey) in the north-west of Wales. It shares borders with Powys, Conwy County Borough, Denbighshire, Anglesey over the Menai Strait, and C ...

north Wales , area_land_km2 = 6,172 , postal_code_type = Postcode , postal_code = LL, CH, SY , image_map1 = Wales North Wales locator map.svg , map_caption1 = Six principal areas of Wales common ...

. Most of the school's pupils come from the villages on

Bethel Bethel ( he, בֵּית אֵל, translit=Bēṯ 'Ēl, "House of El" or "House of God",Bleeker and Widegren, 1988, p. 257. also transliterated ''Beth El'', ''Beth-El'', ''Beit El''; el, Βαιθήλ; la, Bethel) was an ancient Israelite sanct ...

Llanberis (; ) is a village, community and electoral ward in Gwynedd, northwest Wales, on the southern bank of the lake and at the foot of Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales. It is a centre for outdoor activities in Snowdonia, including walking, mo ...

and the surrounding rural area. As of 2021, there were 778 pupils on roll at the school in 2016. Its current headmistress is Mrs Ellen Williams.

Welsh language

Ysgol Brynrefail is categorised linguistically by the

Welsh Government The Welsh Government ( cy, Llywodraeth Cymru) is the Welsh devolution, devolved government of Wales. The government consists of ministers and Minister (government), deputy ministers, and also of a Counsel General for Wales, counsel general. Minist ...

as a category 2A school, meaning that at least 80 per cent of subjects apart from English and Welsh are taught only through the medium of Welsh to all pupils. However, one or two subjects are taught to some pupils in English or in both languages. According to the school's latest

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 ...

inspection report in 2020, 86% of pupils come from Welsh-speaking homes and 98% are fluent Welsh speakers.

Notable alumni

Malcolm Allen (footballer) Malcolm Allen (born 21 March 1967) is a Welsh football coach, former professional footballer and sports pundit and co-commentator. As a player, he was a striker, notably having a brief spell in the Premier League with Newcastle United and a l ...

Y Bandana Y Bandana are a Wales, Welsh language alternative rock band that formed in Caernarfon in 2008. The band is composed of brothers Tomos Owens (Musical keyboard, keyboard) and Siôn Owens (bass guitar), their cousin Gwilym Bowen Rhys (lead vocal ...

- Band *

David Brailsford Sir David John Brailsford (born 29 February 1964) is a British cycling coach. He was formerly performance director of British Cycling and is currently general manager of UCI WorldTeam . Early life Brailsford was born in Shardlow, Derbyshire, a ...

- British Cycling Performance Director * Derwyddon Dr Gonzo - Band *

T. Rowland Hughes Thomas Rowland Hughes (often referred to as T. Rowland Hughes) (17 April 1903 – 24 October 1949), was a Welsh people, Welsh broadcaster, novelist, dramatist and poet. He was the son of a quarryman from Llanberis, Caernarvonshire (Gwynedd today), ...

- Welsh Language Poet, Dramatist and Author *

Gwenlyn Parry William Gwenlyn Parry (8 June 1932 – 5 November 1991) was a Welsh dramatist, the author of several plays in Welsh, including ''Saer Doliau'' (1966), ''Ty ar y Tywod'' (1968), ''Y Ffin (1973), ''Panto'', ''Sal'' and ''Y Tŵr'' (1978). Early life ...

- Welsh Dramatist *

T.H. Parry-Williams Sir Thomas Herbert Parry-Williams (21 September 1887 – 3 March 1975) was a Welsh poet, author and academic. Parry-Williams was born at Tŷ'r Ysgol (''the Schoolhouse'') in Rhyd Ddu, Caernarfonshire, Wales. He was educated at the University ...

- Welsh Language Poet and Author * Rhun Williams - Rugby Player * Eurig Wyn - Welsh Satirical Novelist

References

{{authority control Secondary schools in Gwynedd Educational institutions established in 1900 Llanrug 1900 establishments in Wales