Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun


Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun is a Welsh-medium secondary comprehensive school with a sixth form in the Cynon Valley in the village of Penywaun, Cynon Taf, Wales, to the northwest of the town of Aberdare.
The school was established on 1 September 1995 for the increasing numbers of students attending five local Welsh-medium primary schools, who previously had to travel to secondary school in Pontypridd. It provides a Welsh-medium education for pupils from the Cynon Valley and from neighbouring Merthyr Tydfil County Borough, where there is no Welsh-medium secondary school., there were 1030 pupils, including 116 in the sixth form. 17% of pupils speak Welsh at home. 0.9% of pupils have special educational needs, and 12% are eligible for free school meals; both these figures are lower than the national figure for Wales.
WWW rhydywaun.org

School inspections

, the school's last inspection by Estyn was in 2021, with the finding that the school provides "stimulating learning experiences in a caring environment where supportive working relationships between staff and pupils form the basis of effective learning". The inspection identified strengths in literacy, supporting children with special educational needs, leadership, pastoral care, improving attendance and extra-curricular activities. Inspectors praised the school's vision and framework, called "Ffordd Rhydywaun". Areas for improvement were self-evaluation, financial management and challenge by governors. The school's previous performance rating from Estyn was Adequate, and the school at that time was rated Amber for its need for support.

Buildings

In 2021, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council announced a plan to improve the school's buildings at a cost of £12 million, adding capacity for an additional 187 pupils. The main part of the work was completed in September 2022, with some continuing into 2023.

Sport

The school has a rugby union team, and competes in the East Wales Premier League.

Houses

There are three houses, Cynon, Dâr and Taf, named after the local rivers, Cynon, Dare and Taff.

Notable alumni