Mountain Ash Comprehensive School
Encyclopedia
Mountain Ash Comprehensive School (Welsh
: Ysgol Gyfun Aberpennar) is a comprehensive school that is situated in the town of Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales
. The school was once formally known as Mountain Ash Grammar School (Welsh
: Ysgol Ramadeg Aberpennar) and is situated in the South end of the Cynon Valley
near the former coal mine "Dyffryn Colliery".
Mountain Ash Comprehensive School is now one of the best and top performing schools in Wales due to its outstanding teaching and school facilities with 78% of the school pupils gaining 5 A* - C grades in GCSE examinations. And also the school has introduced more use of the Welsh language.
.
The school's catchment area includes:
Mountain Ash Comprehensive School is now one of the best/top performing schools in Wales which around 78% of the pupils in the school achieve a pass rate result of 5 A* - C grades in GCSE/BTEC.
Here is a list of all the main feeder primary schools which year 6 pupils then go on into year 7 at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School:
Not all these subjects are taught to Years 7 to 9. Pupils going into year 10 will have the choice of choosing 5 subjects of their choice to study for GCSE/NVQ/BTEC along side the compulsory subjects.
: Ysgol Ramadeg Aberpennar) for students aged 11–18. The comprehensive school is situated on the site of the former estate of Lord Aberdare, the main house, Dyffryn House, was still used by the school until its demolition in the 1980s. Dyffryn House was first built and bought in 1747 by Henry Austin Bruce the First Lord Aberdare, where it was then bought by the Glamorgan Education Authority and became the County Grammar School, later part of Mountain Ash Upper Comprehensive School. The house was used for lessons up until 1983, when it was found to be unsafe and eventually demolished.
, the school "has a strong community focus and sense of purpose. Pupils receive very good support in a safe and caring environment".
base their Welsh for Adults provision at the school, and many local sporting clubs use the school's gym and barn facilities. The school run tea dances for the elderly and organise many courses from the school during the holiday periods.
The school houses a community room which is home to E3, 5×60, On Track, and other specialist community workers. They pride themselves on these links, and is the instrumental in developing the Mountain Ash Partnership which ensures that all local organisations working with the young people in this area are all working together constructively.
The Cynon Valley Consortium is a consortium of sixth form students consisting of students from four member schools, Mountain Ash Comprehensive School, Aberdare Girls' School, Aberdare High School
and Blaengwawr Comprehensive School. St. John the Baptist School (Aberdare)
is also an associate member.
The consortium is made up of approximately 620 students in the sixth form, the majority of whom travel between the member schools for their tuition. This may be delivered at their home school, perhaps shared with another member school or solely at another member school.
The students are transported around the Cynon Valley up to twice a day for two hour sessions. They get a minimum of eight hours of tuition in a two week timetable per subject. This is achieved by all member schools having a common sixth form timetable. All the schools use a common registration and assessment management information system which keeps all the data and information on all its students secure, yet available for staff.
The students have access to a full sixth form curriculum to include a total of approximately 44 subjects made up of traditional ‘AS’ Level, ‘A2’ level and GCSE’s, also Vocational, BTEC, OCR courses and Keyskills. The consortium also uses Coleg Morgannwg
and Merthyr Tydfil College
to deliver vocational courses that are traditionally taught at these institutions.
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
: Ysgol Gyfun Aberpennar) is a comprehensive school that is situated in the town of Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taff, 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...
. The school was once formally known as Mountain Ash Grammar School (Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
: Ysgol Ramadeg Aberpennar) and is situated in the South end of the Cynon Valley
Cynon Valley
The Cynon Valley , is a famous former coal mining valley within the South Wales Valleys of Wales. The Cynon Valley lies between the other mining Valley of Rhondda and the iron industrial Valley of the Merthyr Valley. Its main towns are Aberdare located North of the Valley and Mountain Ash located...
near the former coal mine "Dyffryn Colliery".
Mountain Ash Comprehensive School is now one of the best and top performing schools in Wales due to its outstanding teaching and school facilities with 78% of the school pupils gaining 5 A* - C grades in GCSE examinations. And also the school has introduced more use of the Welsh language.
Background
Mountain Ash Comprehensive School is a mixed sex school with approximately 1,158 pupils on roll of which around 150 are in the sixth formSixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
.
The school's catchment area includes:
- Mountain Ash
- PenrhiwceiberPenrhiwceiberPenrhiwceiber is a former Welsh coal mining village and community deep in the South Wales Valleys of Wales. Penrhiwceiber is situated in the Cynon Valley in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, it lies 1 mile south of the town of Mountain Ash...
- Perthcelyn
- AbercynonAbercynonAbercynon is a small village in the Cynon Valley in Mid Glamorgan, Wales. The unitary authority is now known as Rhondda Cynon Taff. It is composed of the village of Abercynon itself,Carnetown,Glancynon,Park View and Pontcynon. However, in recent years the sign to show motorists they are entering...
- Tynte
- FernhillFernhill, WalesFernhill is a village near Mountain Ash in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales.The village is served by Fernhill railway station on the Merthyr Line - Aberdare branch.The Welsh translation for 'Fernhill' is 'Brynrhedyn' but is never in use.-External links:*...
- GlenboiGlenboiGlenboi is a village located 1 mile North of the town Mountain Ash in the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, WalesThe English translation of Glenboi is Wood Valley , "Glen" meaning a "small valley" and "boi" meaning "wood"...
- CefnpennarCefnpennarCefnpennar is a small rural village north of the coal mining town of Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taff, in Wales. It is approximately 1 mile from Mountain Ash town centre and a bus runs daily...
- CwmpennarCwmpennarCwmpennar is a small village in Mountain Ash which is situated in the Cynon Valley, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales.It lies opposite an ex coal mining pit. Cwmpennar is part of the CDWA Cefnpennar District Welfare Association....
- CaegarwCaegarwCaegarw is a large village situated in Mountain Ash, in Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales.- Location :It is close to Cefnpennar and Cwmpennar. It is about a 2 minute walk from Mountain Ash town centre.- Facilities :...
- Newtown
- Darrenlas
- CwmbachCwmbachCwmbach is a village and community near Aberdare, in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, United Kingdom. Cwmbach has a population of 4,283. Cwmbach means 'Little Valley' in Welsh...
- AbercwmboiAbercwmboiAbercwmboi is a village in the Welsh county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf in Wales, United Kingdom.- Location :Abercwmboi is one of the last remaining villages in the Cynon Valley. It has retained its identity and not been developed as many other Cynon Valley villages. As a result is a very close...
Schools Education
A high proportion of the pupils move on to Sixth Form, college or other training organisations.Mountain Ash Comprehensive School is now one of the best/top performing schools in Wales which around 78% of the pupils in the school achieve a pass rate result of 5 A* - C grades in GCSE/BTEC.
Here is a list of all the main feeder primary schools which year 6 pupils then go on into year 7 at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School:
| English Name | Welsh Name |
|---|---|
| Caegarw Primary School | Ysgol Gynradd Caegarw |
| Glenboi Primary School | Ysgol Gynradd Glen-boi |
| Darranlas Primary School | Ysgol Gynradd Darren-las |
| Miskin Primary School | Ysgol Gynradd Meisgyn |
| Newtown Primary School | Ysgol Gynradd Y Drenewydd |
| Pengeulan Primary School | Ysgol Gynradd Pengeulan |
| Penrhiwceiber Primary School | Ysgol Gynradd Penrhiwceibr |
| Perthcelyn Community Primary School | Ysgol Gynradd Gymuned Perthcelyn |
| Abertaf Primary School | Ysgol Gynradd Aber-taf |
| Carnetown Primary School | Ysgol Gynradd Carnetown |
| Ynys-boeth Junior School | Ysgol Lau Ynys-boeth |
Subjects
Mountain Ash Comprehensive School offers a range of subjects. Subjects that are taught at the school include: English, Cymraeg (Welsh), Science, Maths, Art, Music, Personal and Social Education (PSE), Physical Education (PE), Information Communications Technology (ICT), Religious Studies (RS), Geography, History, French, Drama, Business Studies, Public Services, Design Technology (which includes: Wood work, Home Economics, Engineering, Textiles), Hospitality, Child care, Vocational Studies.Not all these subjects are taught to Years 7 to 9. Pupils going into year 10 will have the choice of choosing 5 subjects of their choice to study for GCSE/NVQ/BTEC along side the compulsory subjects.
The Schools History
Mountain Ash Comprehensive School was formerly known as Mountain Ash Grammar School (WelshWelsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
: Ysgol Ramadeg Aberpennar) for students aged 11–18. The comprehensive school is situated on the site of the former estate of Lord Aberdare, the main house, Dyffryn House, was still used by the school until its demolition in the 1980s. Dyffryn House was first built and bought in 1747 by Henry Austin Bruce the First Lord Aberdare, where it was then bought by the Glamorgan Education Authority and became the County Grammar School, later part of Mountain Ash Upper Comprehensive School. The house was used for lessons up until 1983, when it was found to be unsafe and eventually demolished.
Schools Report
According to the most recent School Inspection Report by the Government Inspectors at EstynEstyn
Estyn is the education and training inspectorate for Wales. Its name comes from the Welsh language verb meaning "to extend". Its mission is to achieve excellence for all in learning in Wales by providing an independent, high quality inspection and advice service to the Welsh Assembly Government and...
, the school "has a strong community focus and sense of purpose. Pupils receive very good support in a safe and caring environment".
School motto
The schools motto is Deuparth Bonedd yw Dysg which in English means "The Root of Nobility Lies in Education"Community
The school is a community school and takes the role in this respect very seriously. The school's aim is to be a place of learning and enjoyment not only for the students but for the wider community as well. Mountain Ash Comprehensive School is open for business from 8.00 in the morning through to 9.30 at night. Many national and local groups and organisations use Mountain Ash Comprehensive School's outstanding facilities. The University of GlamorganUniversity of Glamorgan
The University of Glamorgan is a university based in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales with campuses in Treforest, Glyntaff, Merthyr Tydfil, Tyn y Wern and Cardiff...
base their Welsh for Adults provision at the school, and many local sporting clubs use the school's gym and barn facilities. The school run tea dances for the elderly and organise many courses from the school during the holiday periods.
The school houses a community room which is home to E3, 5×60, On Track, and other specialist community workers. They pride themselves on these links, and is the instrumental in developing the Mountain Ash Partnership which ensures that all local organisations working with the young people in this area are all working together constructively.
Cynon Valley Consortium
The school is a member of the Cynon Valley Consortium which allows students to continue their studies and share resources.The Cynon Valley Consortium is a consortium of sixth form students consisting of students from four member schools, Mountain Ash Comprehensive School, Aberdare Girls' School, Aberdare High School
Aberdare High School
Aberdare High School is a comprehensive school in Aberdare, Wales.The school is situated between the villages of Trecynon and Cwmdare and sited opposite the Coleg Morgannwg site ....
and Blaengwawr Comprehensive School. St. John the Baptist School (Aberdare)
St. John the Baptist School (Aberdare)
St. John Baptist Church in Wales High School, in Welsh Ysgol Uwchradd Ioan Feddydiwr, is a church secondary school close to Aberdare Park, Wales-Selected Alumni:*Rhys Shellard - Welsh Rugby Union player.*Owen Williams - Welsh [U20] Rugby Union player....
is also an associate member.
The consortium is made up of approximately 620 students in the sixth form, the majority of whom travel between the member schools for their tuition. This may be delivered at their home school, perhaps shared with another member school or solely at another member school.
The students are transported around the Cynon Valley up to twice a day for two hour sessions. They get a minimum of eight hours of tuition in a two week timetable per subject. This is achieved by all member schools having a common sixth form timetable. All the schools use a common registration and assessment management information system which keeps all the data and information on all its students secure, yet available for staff.
The students have access to a full sixth form curriculum to include a total of approximately 44 subjects made up of traditional ‘AS’ Level, ‘A2’ level and GCSE’s, also Vocational, BTEC, OCR courses and Keyskills. The consortium also uses Coleg Morgannwg
Coleg Morgannwg
Coleg Morgannwg is a further education college located at four main campuses across Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales.The college's main campuses are located in Aberdare Nantgarw Pontypridd and Llwynypia The college also operates a number of outreach centres within local communities...
and Merthyr Tydfil College
Merthyr Tydfil College
Merthyr Tydfil College is a further education college located in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. Since May 2006, it is a constituent college of the University of Glamorgan....
to deliver vocational courses that are traditionally taught at these institutions.
Notable former pupils
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