Top award for two Merthyr Tydfil schools – Kirsty Williams

Ynysowen Primary School and Troedyrhiw Community Primary School have been recognised by NACE, the National Association for Able Children in Education.  The organisation works with teachers to help pupils with high abilities flourish.

Ynysowen Community Primary School is the 8th school in Wales to achieve the prestigious NACE Challenge Award for excellence in provision for more able and talented pupils for the second time. Re-accreditation of this award is given for sustaining high quality work by the whole school, teachers and governors, in challenging all pupils, including those with high abilities, to achieve their best over the last four years.

NACE Chief Executive Sue Riley said:

“Ynysowen Community Primary School has worked hard to win NACE Challenge Award re-accreditation status. It has shown itself to be committed to developing a school where all pupils are challenged to be the best they can be. The more able and talented children are challenged and this helps the other learners to see what can be achieved.”

Troedyrhiw Community Primary School has received the award for the first time.

Sue Riley added:

“Troed Y Rhiw Community Primary School is another impressive example of a school demonstrating a strong commitment to creating an environment in which all learners are effectively challenged and supported. The Challenge Award assessor highlighted the positive culture which permeates the school, reflecting its motto: ‘believe and achieve’”

The Education Secretary visited the schools with Professor Graham Donaldson who advised the Welsh Government on the creation of the new Curriculum for Wales.

Kirsty Williams said:

“Our national mission of education reform is for all pupils, no matter what their background, to achieve their full potential. This includes providing extra support for those from our most deprived backgrounds, but also helping our most able pupils to be stretched and reach their full potential.

“These two schools should be proud that they have been recognised for their work in helping their most able pupils meet their full potential.”

The Welsh Government, working with NACE Cymru provides resources to schools to support more able and talented learners.