|
Ysgol Maes Garmon is a bilingual comprehensive school, and it is the educational home of about 550 pupils of all abilities between 11 and 18 years old. In a homely atmosphere, our pupils follow a broad, balanced, interesting curriculum, which is relevant to their academic, vocational and social development. As well as a wide-ranging array of extra-curricular activities, Maes Garmon has a tradition of caring for its pupils. Our expectations are high and the pupils respond positively to them in terms of academic performance, behaviour, self-discipline and self-confidence.
Ysgol Maes Garmon is situated near the centre of the lively market town of Mold, the administrative centre of Flintshire, but our pupils come to us from a very wide catchment area – from Deeside to the Vale of Clwyd, from Carmel to Llanfynydd. From the town centre, along the old Wrexham road, Conwy Street is on the right, and at the end of the street is the school campus.
|
There is a warm welcome for pupils who are Learners of the language (pupils who have attended English medium primary schools), as well as those who have attended Welsh medium primary schools |
|
The aim of the school is to enable our pupils to cope with life through the medium of two languages and we encourage them to use Welsh as often as possible for socialising as well as work.
 Parents are encouraged to seek every opportunity for the children to use Welsh books, TV and radio programmes at home to reinforce their contact with the language. We are very conscious of the concerns, which some non-Welsh-speaking parents may have, in supporting children at a Bilingual school, but the school has a proven record of success with pupils from English homes studying their subjects in Welsh.
Parents meet academic staff and have a written report annually. There will be a meeting to welcome new parents in July and a pastoral meeting in October. Both meetings provide an opportunity for parents to meet their child’s Year Head and Form tutor. There is always a warm welcome for new parents and pupils to visit the school. Parents may contact the School’s Office (01352) 750678 at any time to arrange an appointment to see the Headteacher.
LEARNERS WELCOMED
There is a particularly warm welcome for pupils who wish to learn Welsh where they have little or no previous knowledge of the language.
Many pupils from English speaking homes have been to a bilingual primary school so that they are bilingual when they come to Maes Garmon. Other parents of pupils from English speaking homes choose a bilingual education at the secondary stage. We welcome all 11/12 year old pupils – even if they have no Welsh before coming to Maes Garmon – because the parental choice made in sending them here shows your commitment and a supportive attitude which is appreciated by the school.
A special curriculum is provided for these learners. In year 7, an intensive Welsh language course is provided for those pupils who enter Ysgol Maes Garmon as non-Welsh speakers. Specialist staff in languages and other subject areas concentrate initially on introducing the pupils to Welsh, which will become the medium of studying other subjects further up the school. The learners enjoy activities of all kinds to give them a rich experience of learning through the medium of their second language, including residential courses.
An integrated programme of study provides a full and comprehensive curriculum including History, Geography and Drama which are integrated into the activities sessions. English, Maths, Science, Technology, Physical Education, R.E, Art and Music complete the programme for the year. The introduction of French is delayed, to allow pupils time to consolidate their Welsh, but in the third term of year 7 a French course is provided.
| 