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The bilingual journey from pregnancy to secondary school

The bilingual journey

Welsh-medium education is available across Powys, and in all phases of education from nursery through to post-16 to support children to become bilingual in Welsh and English.

Pregnancy and from birth

Even during pregnancy, babies can hear voices and music. If you are keen to raise your child bilingually, now is the time to start speaking and singing in Welsh to your baby or pop on TV channel S4C for them to hear the Welsh language being spoken.

The Cymraeg for Kids programme offers practical support for parents to use Welsh with their child. Cymraeg for Kids staff in Powys offer fun, free Welsh medium activities including baby massage sessions, baby yoga and story and song time. These sessions are a great opportunity for parents to socialise and start using Welsh with their baby. There is no need to be a Welsh speaker to participate - everyone is welcome.

Pre-school

The Cylch Ti a Fi gives parents/carers of babies/young children the opportunity to meet once a week to socialise, share experiences about parenting skills, and to play together in an informal Welsh atmosphere. In the Cylch Ti a Fi you can enjoy making new friends, playing with toys, learn to sing simple Welsh songs and listen to Welsh stories with your child.

The Cylch Meithrin is a Welsh-medium playgroup which offers your child an opportunity to socialise and learn through play under the guidance of professional and qualified staff. By attending the Cylch Meithrin your child will begin their journey to Welsh-medium education and will develop into a confident individual ready to take the next natural step into Welsh-medium education at school.

Apply for a pre-school place

Primary School

Choosing a Welsh-medium school or stream is the best way for children to become bilingual - fluent in Welsh and English.

In Powys, the following types of schools provide Welsh-medium education, which will ensure that children become bilingual:

  • Welsh-medium schools
  • Welsh-medium streams at dual stream schools. At dual stream schools, Welsh and English provision exists side by side, however usually it is only pupils in the Welsh-medium stream that become bilingual

Welsh-medium education is available to all children who live in Powys. If there is no Welsh-medium school or stream in the area where you live, Powys County Council will provide transport to the nearest Welsh-medium provider.

Look at Find a School in Powys for more information about each school, including contact details, websites & Estyn reports

Apply for a primary or junior school place

Secondary School

To make sure learners keep and develop their skills in Welsh and English it is important that they continue to access Welsh-medium education at secondary school.

Welsh-medium provision is available at several dual stream secondary schools across Powys. At these schools, Welsh and English provision exists side by side, however usually it is only pupils in the Welsh-medium stream that are bilingual.

Look at Find a School in Powys for more information about each school, including contact details, websites & Estyn reports

In the Ystradgynlais area, learners access Welsh-medium secondary provision at Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur, located in Neath Port Talbot County Borough.

Apply for a secondary school place