Cardigan News
Cardigan primary gets go-ahead to become Welsh medium
2:06pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012
THE go-ahead has been given this week for Ysgol Gynradd Aberteifi to become a Welsh medium school.
Ceredigion’s Cabinet backed the move after head teacher Robert Jenkins told them that by September 2013 around 80 per cent of pupils will be in the Welsh medium stream, through parental choice.
County education director Eifion Evans said: “This is a very exciting period at the school. There is a significant increase in demand for provision through the medium of Welsh. This change won’t be introduced overnight but will be introduced gradually over a period of time.”
Mr Jenkins added: “There is a significant reduction in the numbers who are choosing English medium education in Cardigan and the current situation can’t be maintained and we need to change.
“The Governors favour a Welsh language school with one stream. This movement reflects the wishes of parents who want their children taught in the medium of Welsh.”
He added that there will be support for incomers to the area who do not speak Welsh.
Cllr Ian ap Dewi, chairman of the council’s education scrutiny committee said: “This is a very positive development for Cardigan and for the county. This is a big step and I congratulate the school for taking it. Welsh medium education is completely natural and normal.”
He added that late-comers to the Welsh language who move in from non-Welsh speaking areas will be able to attend to county’s language centre to prepare them for Welsh medium education.
When the changeover is complete at least 70 per cent of teaching at Key Stage 2 will be through the medium of Welsh. English is introduced formally as a subject at Key Stage 2.
The proposal is to start implementing the change from September 2013, when the English stream will no longer be offered an English medium option. Pupils already at the school will continue to be educated in the Welsh and English medium streams during their time in the school. The school would become a full Welsh medium school in September 2019.
The statutory consultation on the move will close on April 10, 2012.