Use of the Welsh language in Powys schools
We want to make sure that Welsh-medium education is available to all children whose parents/guardians ask for it. You don't need to be able to speak Welsh for your child to be educated in Welsh.
Primary Education
At primary level, Welsh is taught in all schools as a foundation subject.
The best way to become totally fluent in Welsh is to go to a primary school that offers Welsh-medium provision. In Powys, Welsh-medium primary education is available at two different types of schools:
- Category 1 - Welsh-medium schools
- Category 2 - Dual stream schools, where Welsh and English provision exists side by side
In Welsh-medium schools or streams, children are taught in Welsh in the Foundation Phase (up to the age of 7). Welsh continues to be the main teaching medium at Key Stage 2 (ages 7 to 11), and English is introduced as a subject.
Welsh-medium education is available to all children who live in Powys, and 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 school in Powys.
Look at: Find a school in Powys for more information about each school, including contact details, websites & Estyn reports
For additional help and support, view our "Links to other websites" section below.
Welsh medium education
Welsh-medium education is available across Powys, and in all phases of education, from nursery, through primary and to secondary. Most pupils who receive their education in Welsh come from non-Welsh speaking homes.
Bilingualism can bring many benefits to your child. The Welsh Government has produced a booklet which provides more information about Welsh-medium education.
| School | Telephone |
|---|---|
| Builth Wells Primary | (01982) 553600 |
| Ysgol Dyffryn Trannon Primary, Trefeglwys | (01686) 430644 |
| Llanfair Caereinion Primary School | (01938) 810470 |
| Llanfyllin Primary School | (01691) 648207 |
| Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant Primary School | (01691) 780352 |
| Ysgol Bro Hyddgen, Machynlleth | (01654) 704200 |
| Rhayader Primary School | (01597) 810288 |
| Ysgol Rhiw Bechan Primary, Tregynon | (01686) 650303 |
| Sennybridge Primary School | (01874) 636268 |
| Trefonnen Primary School, Llandrindod Wells | (01597) 822190 |
Category 1 - Welsh-medium Primary School
| School | Telephone |
|---|---|
| Llanerfyl Foundation School | (01938) 820294 |
| Ysgol y Bannau, Brecon | (01874) 622207 |
| Ysgol Carno | (01686) 420209 |
| Ysgol Dafydd Llwyd, Newtown | (01686) 622162 |
| Ysgol Dyffryn Banw, Llangadfan | (01938) 820226 |
| Ysgol Glantwymyn | (01650) 511394 |
| Ysgol Gymraeg Dyffryn y Glowyr | (01639) 846060 |
| Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng | (01938) 552005 |
| Ysgol Llanbrynmair | (01650) 521339 |
| Ysgol Llanerfyl | (01938) 820294 |
| Ysgol Pennant, Pen-y-bont-fawr | (01691) 860326 |
| Ysgol Pontrobert | (01938) 500394 |
Secondary Education
At the secondary stage Welsh is taught as a subject in all schools and in a number of schools it is used as a medium of instruction.
Welsh-medium secondary provision is provided in Welsh streams in a number of high schools across the county. Although the number of subjects taught through the medium of Welsh varies between secondary schools, the aim of the council, and every secondary school that has a Welsh-medium stream, is to teach every subject on the curriculum through both Welsh and English in every Key Stage. This will ensure equal opportunity and equality of provision for all pupils in Powys.
In the Ystradgynlais area, the council provides transport out of county to Welsh-medium secondary provision at Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera.
Look at: Find a School in Powys for more information about each school, including contact details, websites & Estyn reports.
The council is required by the Welsh Government to prepare a Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) every three years. The Plan sets out how the council will develop Welsh-medium education to increase the number of pupils accessing Welsh-medium education. This will contribute to the Welsh Government's Cymraeg 2050 strategy to achieve one million Welsh speakers by the year 2050.
The council's Welsh in Education Strategic Plan for 2017-20 is available via the following link:
Download the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) [216KB]
