Curriculum

Cluster Collaboration

The school has a close working relationship with all cluster primaries to ensure learners have a coherent and sequential curriculum throughout their academic journey.
Together the cluster have developed the following vision for our schools:

Cluster Transition Plan 2025-26

Curriculum Rationale

Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd’s curriculum is broad, balanced and inclusive, designed to support all learners to make appropriate progress in line with their ability. It is an ambitious and creative curriculum that develops healthy and enterprising learners whilst building upon the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure confident individuals for the length of their learning path and beyond.

Purpose of the curriculum

• Provide a broad and balanced curriculum that nurtures ambitious, capable learners who are ready to learn throughout their lives
• Provide experiences, knowledge and skills that promote learners as enterprising, creative contributors who are ready to play a full part in life and work
• Provide a range of opportunities inside and outside the classroom that enrich learning and encourage principled, informed citizens in Wales and the world
• Meet the needs of all learners to encourage healthy, confident and resilient individuals who are ready to live a fulfilled life as valued members of Society
• Ensure that learners gain experience of studying a range of subjects at key stage 3 as well as the core subjects meeting the requirements of all areas of learning and experience and keeping all career paths or further study open to them

Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd’s curriculum allows learners to develop:

• a positive attitude and commitment to learning
• the ability to identify, evaluate and use evidence in forming opinions and discussing current affairs based on their knowledge and values
• knowledge, skills and understanding relevant to life and employment in an ever-evolving world
• cross-curricular skills; literacy, numeracy and digital literacy
• holistic skills such as creativity, critical thinking and problem solving, personal effectiveness and planning and organisation
• recognition of their strengths and talents along with appreciation of the achievements of others
• a sense of responsibility for their progress by identifying and responding to the areas for improvement
• the ability to work independently and work confidently as a member of a team
• self-confidence, self-worth and an understanding of human rights and diversity

Implementing the Curriculum

Each department has a scheme of work based on the cluster curriculum, the National Curriculum and exam board requirements. All staff within a department are expected to follow the scheme of work and the Department Leader monitors provision through the self-evaluation processes. The schemes of work are structured to highlight the skills, knowledge and understanding that need to be developed over time.
It is ensured that there is a balance between the expertise and experience of teachers across the age range and ability and that all teachers are qualified to teach through the Welsh language (excluding the subject of English). Teachers co-plan to ensure a solid understanding of how to deliver the scheme of work across a series of lessons and to identify valid links whether within the department, area of learning or beyond.
Appropriate independent tasks are designed to give learners the opportunity to build upon the skills presented within lessons as well as enriching their understanding. Learners are given adequate time to complete this work along with an opportunity to receive further support as needed.
Learners with access requirements or additional learning needs (ALN) will be supported within lessons under the guidance of the learning support department as appropriate. Learners are taught within mixed ability classes at the beginning of their school career and these classes continue in a number of subjects.
The curriculum is revised continuously to ensure that it meets the needs of our learners. the staff collaborate to evaluate the current provision and use a wide range of monitoring processes. Pupil voice is central to the monitoring process and questionnaires and focus groups are held on a departmental and whole school level every year. We welcome input from all stakeholders including our cluster schools and parents.

Academic Curriculum

Years 7, 8 and 9 offer a broad and rich curriculum designed in accordance with Curriculum for Wales requirements. It provides learners with the opportunity to study disciplines across the six areas of learning and experience whilst developing a solid educational foundation in preparation for studies at year 10. As a result, learners are able to make informed decisions when choosing GCSE options at the end of year 9. Where appropriate a modified curriculum is offered to Ty Derwen learners to meet their educational needs.
Learners are supported as they make post 14 and post 16 choices through career days, a transition website and also meetings with the pastoral team. A free choice audit is held on an annual basis to construct columns that best meet the needs of current learners. It is recognised that the offer of all optional subjects in year 10 is dependent on viable numbers.

Wider Curriculum

In addition to the academic development of the individual, the curriculum promotes holistic and complete personal development and recognises the additional mandated frameworks introduced in the legislation.

Welsh Dimension and the Welsh Language: As the only Welsh medium school in the Local Authority, the school prides itself on its ability to provide a broad and balanced curriculum fully through the medium of Welsh to our learners from year 7 through to year 13. By offering experiences of Welsh and global cultures learners are given the opportunity to gain a personal identity and appreciation of the modern multi-cultural society, whilst also recognising the benefits of being bi-lingual within that society. The school is aware that a strong sense of belonging helps to create positive feelings of connection between our learners, the school community, their local area, Wales and to the wider world.

Pastoral programme: A pastoral programme is provided through tutor periods, assemblies, challenge days and external agency use where appropriate.

Extended curriculum: Learners are offered a wide range of opportunities within and beyond day-to-day lessons. The school curriculum combined with the strong partnerships the school has established with various external agencies provide positive, enriching and memorable experiences for our learners to build motivation and deepen understanding. Learners are offered various extra-curricular opportunities through activities, competitions, visits and residential breaks.

Careers education and experiences related to the world of work: A school-wide careers and enterprise education programme is delivered within lessons as well as through challenge days during the year. A careers officer is on site on twice a week to offer efficient and unbiased advice and support to learners. The careers officer provides interviews for all learners in years 10 and 11 and is available on request to year 12 and 13. In addition, they offer various sessions and drop in sessions to learners in years 7 – 9 during challenge days and during the year 10 options process. Additional support is given to individuals according to their needs where appropriate. The school intends to offer all learners a work experience week in year 12.

Relationship and sexuality education: Curriculum for Wales’ Relationship and Sexuality Education Code (January 2022) will be used in the design of the school-wide relationship and sexuality education programme. This Code contains mandatory requirements for year 7 learners only from September 2022, and the legal basis for these requirements can be found in the legislative summary in the Curriculum for Wales framework guidance. The aim is to support learners to gain the age-appropriate skills and knowledge and understanding and enable them to make responsible decisions about their relationships, emotions and sexual health and wellbeing. The relationship and sexuality education is delivered through challenge days as well as through the core curriculum where relevant, taking into account a variety of factors including the learner’s knowledge and maturity, physiological and emotional development as well as any additional learning needs.

Religion, values and ethics: As a statutory requirement of the Curriculum for Wales it is mandatory for all learners up to the age of 16. It is focused on understanding the religious and non-religious beliefs, practices, values and ethics and objectively explores religious and non-religious worldviews and their connection to personal values and ethical decision-making. It aims to foster openness and respect for diverse beliefs, helping learners develop their critical thinking skills and make informed responses to societal and technological challenges in a changing world.

Equal Rights and Opportunities: The curriculum gives learners the opportunity to learn about human rights encouraging them to enquire, analyse, form debates, make decisions, evaluate and develop value-driven behaviours. The curriculum aims to offer equal opportunities to all individuals in all aspects of school life without differences based on ability, sexuality, race, disability or religion. To this end all learners will have the right to access a wide and balanced range of educational activities, free from bias. The school will foster the development of the individual so that they reach their potential without any form of stereotyping.

Features of the Curriculum

• Three-week timetable with 6 x 50-minute lessons each day
• Club sessions during Friday’s final lesson for learners in year 7 – 9, led by those in year 12
• Post 18 pathways session during Friday’s final lesson for year 13 learners
• Up to 5 challenge days across the year
• Skills week during the Summer term
• Work experience week in year 12