Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni

Llangefni County School opened in 1897 but was superseded by Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni, County Secondary School.[https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/7553222b-d08b-392c-b116-f9857056eee8 Archive jisc], JISC Archives, retrieved 21 April 2023

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The title ‘County School’ already existed and was used by the school prior to the Education Act 1944. However, the Act insisted on the term being used for all LEA maintained primary and secondary schools.

In 1947 the school was inspected and the HMI report was not favorable. The report stated that ‘there is nothing in this school on which the eye can alight with pleasure’, The school site had been significantly affected by a fire in 1939, but despite the fact that the science laboratories and the domestic science room had been destroyed, the plans to re-build the school (submitted in 1939) had been deferred as a consequence of the war and the lack of money, labour, and materials.

Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni was built due to Anglesey’s prominent role as a pioneer of comprehensive schooling. Construction began in 1950 and was completed by 1953.{{cite web|url=https://research.bangor.ac.uk/portal/files/20575464/null |title=Pioneering comprehensive schooling. The politics of education: reform and response on Anglesey circa 1935-1974|date=2016|website=Bangor University |access-date=5 April 2023}} The school first opened its doors in 1953 to all the children of secondary school age in the catchment area with a then capacity of 842.

"Gorau Cynnydd Cadw Moes" translates to 'Courtesy paves the way to success'. Inclusion, a Welsh ethos , diversity, equality, respect and empathy are the values upheld at the school. [https://colorfoto.net/CreativeDesign/Ysgol-Llangefni/mobile/index.html School ethos from the prospectus] School website, retrieved 22 April 2024

The school is located on a single campus.

There is a leisure centre neighbouring the school to the left called Plas Arthur{{cite web|url=http://education.wales.gov.uk/2000/isle_of_anglesey/ysgol_gyfun_llangefni_info.htm |title=Welsh Assembly: Subject Index: Education : School Performance : Home |access-date=April 7, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050301231128/http://education.wales.gov.uk/2000/isle_of_anglesey/ysgol_gyfun_llangefni_info.htm |archive-date=March 1, 2005 }} and to the right of the school is Canolfan Addysg y Bont, a school for young people with special educational needs.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/watch-see-inside-angleseys-new-7042589 |title=Newspaper article n the opening of the school|date=28 April 2014|website=Daily Post|access-date=5 April 2023}}

The school shares some facilities with both establishments.

• A School hall with sound and vision equipment.
• An outdoor steel dining canopy. A covered space outside where students can sit to eat during their lunch period.
• A school canteen with indoor dining facilities.
• A covered Multi-Use Games Area. Used for a variety of different sporting activities.
• A large floodlit 3G artificial turf sports pitch. (Shared with Plas Arthur leisure centre)
• 2 traditional school gyms with climbing equipment, ropes, gymnastic apparatus and crash mats.
• Playing fields used for rugby, football, and athletics.
• Fenced outdoor tennis courts.
• 5 full ICT suites used by various departments.
• 2 Design & Technology multi use workshops.
• 1 Food Technology home economics suite facilitating catering and textile technology lessons.
• 1 Music room.
• 8 Science labs.
• A video conferencing room used for meetings and for pupils to follow curriculum courses offered off site.
• The Noddfa support centre. A unit set up for pupils with emotional needs to receive purposeful interventions and support.
• A sixth form common room.
• A school garden. The garden spans over an acre of land and is set out in specific zones: a growing zone, sensory garden zone, meadow zone, wildlife zone and micro forest where over 500 trees have been planted by the pupils.

Pupils currently follow the Curriculum for Wales (2022–present) from year 7 through 8.

The school offers a variety of subjects at GCSE and at AS/A2 levels, the Welsh Baccalaureate, and some vocational courses.

The school also offers additional subjects taught at other sites through the local educational consortium.

As a pioneer school for the Curriculum for Wales, Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni has played a crucial role in shaping and implementing the new curriculum framework. One of its notable innovations is the development of a Year 7 outdoor curriculum, utilizing the school's 20-acre grounds, including a former football field now transformed into a community garden. This outdoor learning model, integrated with the health and well-being area of learning and experience, provides pupils with lessons in physical education, gardening, and outdoor education.

The garden project, designed in collaboration with the North Wales Wildlife Trust and students from previous academic years, has been central to the school's curriculum. The garden includes distinct zones such as a sensory garden, wildlife areas, and a micro forest where over 500 trees have been planted by students. This initiative aims to foster practical gardening skills, promote sustainability, and enhance students' connection to nature, improving both academic and personal well-being.

The school also promotes sustainability, working toward a carbon-neutral garden that educates pupils about climate change and environmental stewardship. The success of the gardening project has garnered attention from the local community and organizations, positioning Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni as a model for innovative, hands-on learning practices.{{Cite web|url=https://www.https://estyn.gov.wales/improvement-resources/developing-an-outdoor-curriculum-in-preparation-for-curriculum-for-wales-that-develops-pupils-knowledge-and-skills-as-well-as-supporting-their-well-being/

|title=Developing an outdoor curriculum in preparation for Curriculum for Wales that develops pupils’ knowledge and skills as well as supporting their well-being|date=January 2023|website=Estyn|access-date=26 May 2023}}

The school's four houses annually compete in the school sports day and school Eisteddfod. Each student and member of staff is placed in a school house.

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The school offers a range of extra-curricular activities including but not limited to Team and individual sports, 5x60, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Charity work, Book club, Chess club, Lego club, F1 in Schools team, Games and socialising club, Instrumental lessons and drama.

During the summer term year 7 pupils enjoy the "Crafnant Experience" where they take part in outdoor activities such as kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing and an adventure trail before camping overnight. [https://colorfoto.net/CreativeDesign/Ysgol-Llangefni/mobile/index.html School Extra-curricular activities from the prospectus] School website, retrieved 22 April 2024

The school serves a central area of Anglesey that includes Bodorgan, Bodffordd, Gaerwen, Llanbedrgoch, Llangefni, Llangristiolus, Talwrn and Dwyran.

The following is a list of primary schools that fall within the boundary of Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni's catchment area.[https://www.anglesey.gov.wales/en/Residents/Schools-and-learning/Schools/School-admissions.aspx Anglesey Council], Anglesey Council website, retrieved 24 April 2023

• Ysgol Gymuned Bodffordd
• Ysgol Esceifiog (Gaerwen)
• Ysgol Gynradd Llanbedrgoch
• Ysgol y Graig, Llangefni
• Ysgol Henblas
• Ysgol Talwrn
• Ysgol Corn Hir, Llangefni
• Ysgol Santes Dwynwen

The school also accepts pupils from outside of the catchment area providing numbers do not exceed the admission limit.

• Naomi Watts - Hollywood actress and Oscar nominee [https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/heartfelt-message-hollywood-star-anglesey-16404948 Naomi Watts], The Daily post, retrieved 24 April 2023
• Gwyn Hughes Jones - Opera Tenor [https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/find-things-to-do/top-tenor-travels-long-way-2888169 Gwyn Hughes Jones], The Daily post, retrieved 24 April 2023
• Hywel Gwynfryn - TV and radio personality [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6215653-y-dyn-i-hun Hywel Gwynfryn], Good Reads, retrieved 24 April 2023
• Hugh Griffith - Oscar-winning actor [https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/english/movie-actor/hugh-griffith Huw Griffith], nettv4v, retrieved 24 April 2023
• Gabriel Fielding - English novelist [http://gabrielfielding.com/id2.html Gabriel Fielding], Gabriel Fielding website, retrieved 24 April 2023
• Osian Roberts - Welsh football coach and former player [https://www.facebook.com/osian.roberts.73 Osian Roberts], Facebook page, retrieved 24 April 2023
• Wilfred Mitford Davies - Welsh artist and publisher [https://biography.wales/article/s2-DAVI-MIT-1895 Wilfred Mitford Davies], Biography Wales, retrieved 24 April 2023
• Meinir Gwilym - Welsh-language pop and folk singer [https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/meinir-back-stage-degree-2926433 Meinir Gwilym], The Daily post, retrieved 24 April 2023
• Jac Jones - Welsh children's book illustrator.[http://angleseytelegraph.blogspot.com/2010/12/jac-jones-author-and-illustrators.html Jac Jones], Anglesey Telegraph, retrieved 24 April 2023
• Owen Roberts - Pioneer of Welsh-language television.[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/owen-roberts-journalist-who-established-himself-as-a-pioneer-of-welshlanguage-television-8369002.html Owen Roberts], The Independent, retrieved 20 April 2023
• Wilf Roberts - Welsh painter and educator.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/a5407b55-961b-3109-ba2e-d3081ef56c0f Wilf Roberts], BBC, retrieved 20 April 2023
• Harri Pritchard-Jones - English-born Welsh language author, critic, and psychiatrist.[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/apr/15/harri-pritchard-jones-obituary Harri Pritchard-Jones], The Guardian, retrieved 20 April 2023
• Rhiannon Ifans - Welsh academic specialising in English, Medieval and Welsh literature.[https://eisteddfod.wales/rhiannon-ifans-wins-prose-medal Rhiannon Ifans], The Eisteddfod, retrieved 24 April 2023
• Lennon Williams - Welsh radio producer.[https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/grp-llandrillo-menai-honoured-its-10537003], Daily Post, retrieved 20 April 2025

• Sonia Edwards - Bilingual novelist, taught Welsh at the school.[http://www.parthianbooks.com/content/sonia-edwards Sonia Edwards], Parthian books, retrieved 5 March 2015
• Gerald Morgan - Historian and Welsh author, served as headteacher from 1966 until 1973.[https://www.gwales.com/goto/biblio/en/9781847710185 Gerald Morgan], gwales, retrieved 20 March 2023
• George Fisher (dramatist) - Dramatist, head of mathematics and deputy headmaster at the school.[https://www.blondesfineart.com/gwilym-prichard-artist George Fisher], blondes fine art, retrieved 20 April 2023
• Ernest Zobole - Welsh painter and art teacher, taught art at the school from 1953 to 1958.[https://www.blondesfineart.com/gwilym-prichard-artist Ernest Zobole], blondes fine art, retrieved 20 April 2023
• Gwilym Prichard - Landscape artist, taught craft at the school from 1954 until 1965.[https://www.blondesfineart.com/gwilym-prichard-artist Gwilym Pritchard], blondes fine art, retrieved 20 April 2023
• Rachel Barrett - Welsh suffragette and newspaper editor, taught science at the school.[https://woww.narberthmuseum.co.uk/rachel-barrett/ Rachel Barrett], Narberth Museum , retrieved 20 April 2023

Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni has been the filming location for Welsh soap opera Rownd a Rownd for a number of years. Scenes requiring a school setting for the fictional 'Ysgol Glanrafon' secondary school are filmed at the school. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/cymrufyw/53805650 Ailddechrau ffilmio Rownd a Rownd ar ôl toriad], BBC, retrieved 22 April 2024

Welsh Government defines the school as a bilingual secondary school Category 2B, which means that, at least 80% of subjects (excluding Welsh and English) are taught through the medium of Welsh but are also taught through the medium of English.{{Cite web|url=http://mylocalschool.wales.gov.uk/school.htm?estab=6604028&iaith=eng|title=Ysgol David Hughes|website=mylocalschool.wales.gov.uk|access-date=2016-09-17}} However, the majority are taught through the medium of Welsh. Approximately 87% of pupils study Welsh as a first language.{{Cite web|url=https://www.estyn.gov.wales/sites/default/files/documents/Inspection%20report%20Ysgol%20Gyfun%20Llangefni%202014_0.pdf|title=A report on Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni|date=May 2014|website=Estyn|access-date=26 August 2018}}

As of January 2023, 78.5% of the school's pupils spoke Welsh at home.{{Cite web|url=https://www.estyn.gov.wales/system/files/2023-03/Inspection%20report%20Ysgol%20Gyfun%20Llangefni%202023_0.pdf

|title=A report on Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni|date=January 2023|website=Estyn|access-date=27 March 2023}}

• :Category:People educated at Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni

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• {{Official website|https://www.ysgolgyfunllangefni.org}}

Category:Secondary schools in Anglesey

Category:Educational institutions established in 1953

Category:Llangefni

Category:1953 establishments in Wales