Brynteg Comprehensive School
Encyclopedia
Brynteg Comprehensive School (Welsh Ysgol Gyfun Brynteg) is one of the largest secondary school
s in Wales. It is located on Ewenny Road in the town of Bridgend
, Wales
. This school is one of seven comprehensive schools that serve the town, but the school mainly receives pupils from the Brackla, Litchard and Town Centre areas.
The Headteacher is: David Jenkins
There are Two Deputy Heads: Alison Grabham and Rob Hopkins.
There are Four Assistant Headteachers: Julie Phillips, Caroline Nightingale, Richard Martin & 'Andy' Andrea May
, opposite the Heronsbridge School which shares some architectural qualities with the Upper School. Brynteg has two rugby pitches, a cricket field, a gravel hockey pitch, tennis courts and a large indoor sports hall. In recent years, the school saw the construction of a new Maths Block, Language Block and Science Block on a site between Lower and Upper School. More recently, the new Art Block was completed, and a new four room English block was completed.
Brynteg is also a venue for the Welsh Baccaulaureate
, a new qualification offered to Welsh students studying at GCSE, A2 and AS Level.
, Canada
, Ireland
, Germany
, South America
and South Africa
.
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
s in Wales. It is located on Ewenny Road in the town of Bridgend
Bridgend
Bridgend is a town in the Bridgend County Borough in Wales, west of the capital, Cardiff. The river crossed by the original bridge, which gave the town its name, is the River Ogmore but the River Ewenny also passes to the south of the town...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. This school is one of seven comprehensive schools that serve the town, but the school mainly receives pupils from the Brackla, Litchard and Town Centre areas.
History
Brynteg was created after the merger of Heol Gam Secondary Modern School and the Bridgend Grammar School for Boys. The school site is divided in two, with the Lower School once being Heol Gam and the Upper School being the site of the original Bridgend Grammar School. The site was formed as the County School in 1935. In 1971 it became a comprehensive.The Headteacher is: David Jenkins
There are Two Deputy Heads: Alison Grabham and Rob Hopkins.
There are Four Assistant Headteachers: Julie Phillips, Caroline Nightingale, Richard Martin & 'Andy' Andrea May
Admissions
Brynteg is one of the largest schools in South Wales, with approximately 2000 students. The student body is divided into five year groups plus two sixth form years: Years 7 - 9 are generally classified as Lower School students, while Years 10 - 11 and the Sixth Form (Years 12 - 13) are regarded as Upper School students. This is respective of where the majority of the lessons are held and also where the assembly and form room venues are.Facilities
The school is located on Ewenny Road (B4265) close to the roundabout with the A48A48 road
The A48 is a major trunk road in Great Britain. It runs from the A40 at Highnam west of Gloucester to the A40 at Carmarthen. Before the construction of the M4 motorway and the first Severn Bridge in the mid 1960s it was the principal route into South Wales. For most of its journey through Wales,...
, opposite the Heronsbridge School which shares some architectural qualities with the Upper School. Brynteg has two rugby pitches, a cricket field, a gravel hockey pitch, tennis courts and a large indoor sports hall. In recent years, the school saw the construction of a new Maths Block, Language Block and Science Block on a site between Lower and Upper School. More recently, the new Art Block was completed, and a new four room English block was completed.
Sport
Brynteg has also been affiliated with its strong rugby alumni. Several Welsh players, including Gavin Henson and Robert Howley, have attended the school and played for the school team.Academic performance
In regards to examination performance records, the school is also favourable academically with 75% of GCSE students achieving 5 A*-C grades in their examinations.Brynteg is also a venue for the Welsh Baccaulaureate
Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification
The Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification, also known as WBQ or Welsh Bac, was introduced in October 2006. Where offered, the WBQ runs alongside and complements qualifications such as A-levels and GCSEs. 31 schools and colleges are running a pilot scheme...
, a new qualification offered to Welsh students studying at GCSE, A2 and AS Level.
Traditions
The school motto is in Welsh A fo pen bidd pont which translates as "To be a leader, be a bridge". Traditionally, Year 8 write and hold the school's harvest assembly in October.Affiliations
The school has connections with partner schools in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Feeder Schools
- Brackla Primary School
- Litchard Primary School
- Oldcastle Primary School
- Penybont Primary School
- Tremains Primary School
Notable former pupils
- Prof Keith BurnettKeith BurnettKeith Burnett CBE FRS is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield. According to the Yorkshire Post his salary is £251,000.Burnett was born in Llwynypia in the Rhondda Valley. He studied Physics at Jesus College, Oxford obtaining a BA in 1972 then a DPhil in 1979...
, Vice Chancellor of the University of SheffieldUniversity of SheffieldThe University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
since 2007, Professor of Physics at the University of OxfordUniversity of OxfordThe University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
from 1996-2007 - Paul BurstonPaul BurstonPaul Burston is a British gay journalist, author, broadcaster and curator-Life:Raised in Bridgend, Wales, Burston attended Brynteg Comprehensive School, studied English, Drama and Film Studies at university before becoming an activist with the gay London policing project GALOP and the AIDS...
, British gay journalist, author, broadcaster and curator - Carwyn JonesCarwyn JonesCarwyn Howell Jones is a Welsh politician and the First Minister of Wales. The third official to lead the Welsh Government, Jones has been Assembly Member for Bridgend since 1999. In the coalition government of Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru, he was appointed Counsel General for Wales and Leader of...
- Current First Minister for WalesFirst Minister for WalesThe First Minister of Wales is the leader of the Welsh Government, Wales' devolved administration, which was established in 1999. The First Minister is responsible for the exercise of functions by the Cabinet of the Welsh Government; policy development and coordination; relationships with the... - Maria MillerMaria MillerMaria Frances Lewis Miller is a British Conservative Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Basingstoke since the 2005 general election...
, Conservative MP for Basingstoke - Gary OwenGary Owen (playwright)Gary Owen is a Welsh playwright and winner of the Arts Council England 2003 Meyer-Whitworth Award for new writing for the theatre....
, playwright - Jaci Stephen, Journalist & TV Critic
Rugby Union
- B.B. Bennetts, (Penzance),2 caps (for England), 1909
- J.M.C. Lewis, (Cambridge University, Cardiff), Wales, 11 caps 1912-1923
- Wyndham ThomasWyndham ThomasWyndham Rowland Thomas played first-class cricket in one match for Somerset in 1928. He was born in Bedford and died at Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.Thomas had one of the briefest first-class cricket careers of any player...
, (Cambridge University, Swansea), Wales, 2 caps 1912-1913 - Melbourne ThomasMelbourne ThomasBeriah Melbourne Gwynne Thomas was a Welsh international rugby union player. He played club rugby several teams including Bridgend, St. Batholomew's Hospital, London Welsh and Cardiff...
, (Bridgend, St. Bats), Wales, 6 caps 1919-1924 - Jack MatthewsJack MatthewsJack Matthews OBE is a former Wales rugby union international centre who played first-class club rugby for Cardiff and Newport. Along with Bleddyn Williams, Matthews formed a centre partnership which is regarded as one of the finest in the game...
, (Cardiff), Wales, 17 caps 1947-1951, British Lions, 6 caps 1950 - Ken RichardsKen RichardsKenneth "Ken" Henry Llewellyn Richards was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s who at representative level played rugby union for Wales, and at club level for Bridgend RFC, playing at Fly-half, i.e. number 10, and at club level played rugby league for Salford...
, (Bridgend), Wales, 5 caps 1960-61 - Wilson Lauder, (Neath), 18 caps (for Scotland) 1969-1976
- J.P.R. Williams (Bridgend, London Welsh), Wales, 55 caps 1969-1981, British Lions, 8 caps 1971 & 1974
- Gerald Williams (Bridgend, Glam Wanderers), Wales, 4 caps 1980-1982
- Gareth Powell WilliamsGareth Powell WilliamsGareth Williams is a former international rugby union player who played club rugby for Bridgend RFC. In 1980 he toured South Africa with the British Lions as a replacement for the injured Stuart Lane.-Notes:...
(Bridgend), Wales, 5 caps 1981-1982 - Mike Hall (Cardiff), Wales, (Captain) 42 caps 1988-1995, British Lions, 1 cap 1989
- Owain WilliamsOwain WilliamsOwain Williams is the leader of Llais Gwynedd a Welsh nationalist and regionalist political party in Gwynedd, north Wales, and councillor representing the Clynnog Fawr ward for Gwynedd Council.He is a fervent nationalist committed to an independent Wales...
(Bridgend), Wales, 1 cap 1990 - Rob HowleyRob HowleyRobert Howley is a former Welsh rugby union footballer. He was considered one of the greatest ever scrum-halves and gained 59 caps for Wales, 22 of them as captain.Howley made his Wales debut in February 1996...
(Bridgend, Cardiff, Wasps), Wales, (Captain) 59 caps 1995-2002, British Lions, 2 caps 1997 & 2001 - Dafydd JamesDafydd JamesDafydd Rhys James is a former Welsh international rugby union footballer who plays on the wing or at centre. He toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2001. He has earned 45 caps for Wales and three for the British & Irish Lions...
(Bridgend, etc), Wales, 49 caps 1995-2007, British Lions, 3 caps 2001 - Gavin HensonGavin HensonGavin Lloyd Henson is a Welsh rugby union player, born in Pencoed, South Wales, currently playing for Cardiff Blues.He attracted much media attention as part of a Wales national team which achieved Grand Slams in the Six Nations Championship in 2005 and 2008...
(Swansea, Ospreys), Wales, 28 caps 2001- , British Lions, 1 cap 2005 - James BaterJames BaterJames Bater is a former Welsh rugby union footballer who plays as a flanker for Llanelli Scarlets in the Magners League....
, (Llanelli Scarlets), Wales, 1 cap 2003- - Gareth John WilliamsGareth John WilliamsGareth John Williams is a Welsh rugby union footballer who normally plays at hooker and is currently with Cardiff Blues. He was previously with his hometown club of Bridgend. He made his debut for Wales against France as a substitute in 2003...
, (Cardiff Blues), Wales, 5 caps 2003-
Bridgend Grammar School for Boys
- Prof Edward Abel CBE, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of ExeterUniversity of ExeterThe University of Exeter is a public university in South West England. It belongs to the 1994 Group, an association of 19 of the United Kingdom's smaller research-intensive universities....
from 1972-97, and President of the Royal Society of ChemistryRoyal Society of ChemistryThe Royal Society of Chemistry is a learned society in the United Kingdom with the goal of "advancing the chemical sciences." It was formed in 1980 from the merger of the Chemical Society, the Royal Institute of Chemistry, the Faraday Society and the Society for Analytical Chemistry with a new...
from 1996-8 - Prof Michael BrownMichael Brown (JMU)Professor Michael Brown CBE is the current Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University in Liverpool, England, United Kingdom -External links:* http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/ada/93783.htm Welcome/A message from Vice-Chancellor Michael Brown...
, Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores UniversityLiverpool John Moores UniversityLiverpool John Moores University is a British 'modern' university located in the city of Liverpool, England. The university is named after John Moores and was previously called Liverpool Mechanics' School of Arts and later Liverpool Polytechnic before gaining university status in 1992, thus...
since 2000 - Robert MinhinnickRobert MinhinnickRobert Minhinnick is a Welsh poet, essayist, novelist and translator.Minhinnick was born in Neath, and now lives in Porthcawl. He studied at University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and University of Wales, Cardiff. An environmental campaigner, he co-founded the charities Friends of the Earth and...
, poet - Prof Gareth Morris CBE, Professor of Microbiology at Aberystwyth University from 1971-2000
- Prof David Thomas, Professor of Geography at the University of BirminghamUniversity of BirminghamThe University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
from 1978-95 - John V. TuckerJohn V. TuckerJohn Vivian Tucker is a British computer scientist and expert on computability theory, also known as recursion theory. Computability theory is about what can and cannot be computed by people and machines...
, computer scientist - G. Wyn Rees, Solicitor and Judge
Former teachers
- Wayne DavidWayne DavidWayne David is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Caerphilly since 2001. He was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Wales Office from 2008 to 2010...
, Labour MP for CaerphillyCaerphilly (UK Parliament constituency)Caerphilly is a county constituency centred on the town of Caerphilly in South Wales. It returns one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post voting system.The constituency has always elected Labour MPs.- Boundaries... - Lynn DaviesLynn DaviesLynn Davies CBE was a member of the Cardiff Amateur Athletic Club and captain of the British Olympic long jump team in 1964....
Olympic Champion (long jump) 1964 Tokyo Games (Bridgend Grammar School PE teacher)