YSGOL BRYN HEYYDD, RYHL

( WALES-UK)


​Ysgol Bryn Hedydd is a large primary school on the edge of Rhyl – a small Welsh town which developed during Victorian times as a holiday resort. The decline of the local tourist industry has seen a rapid decline in the economic status of the town over the last 20 years. The town has struggled to diversify and has attracted migrants from poorer areas of the declining industrial centres of Manchester, Liverpool and the North west of England. Additionally the town has more recently become home to migrants from the European Union and further afield – China and the Philippines for example. Many parts of the town suffer from social deprivation and have received European funding in an attempt to boost the economy and regenerate the area. The town experiences a seasonal and transient population. English is the first language spoken by most of the children at school although we have several children from families who have arrived with their first (and only language) as Chinese. All children learn to speak and read the Welsh language at school and this takes place against a home background which is usually centred on the English language. Developing the Welsh language and culture feature very highly at school and ’bilingualism’ is a priority in the school’s Development Plan. The school accepts all abilities and has a number of children who has special educational needs – these children are supported in their learning by specialist staff. We look forward to working with other schools as we aim to develop children’s’ sense of identity within Wales whilst respecting and sharing their own original cultural background.