Brynteg School

Brynteg Comprehensive School
Location
Bridgend , Bridgend Wales
Information
Type	Co-educational secondary comprehensive
Motto	A vo pen bidd pont
Established	1971
Local authority	Bridgend
Ofsted	Reports
Age	11 to 18
Publication	Nyth Bran (former grammar school)
Website	http://www.bryntegschool.co.uk

Brynteg Comprehensive School (Welsh Ysgol Gyfun Brynteg) is a large secondary school / comprehensive school on Ewenny Road in the town of Bridgend, Wales. This school is one of six comprehensive schools that serve the town, but the school mainly receives pupils from the Brackla, Litchard and Town Centre areas.

History

Brynteg was created after the merger of Heol Gam Secondary Modern School and the Bridgend Grammar School for Boys. The school site is divided in two, with the Lower School once being Heol Gam and the Upper School being the site of the original Bridgend Grammar School. The site was formed as the County School in 1935. In 1971 it became a comprehensive.

The Headteacher is: Chris Davies (Chemistry), he has been in residence since 1991, but is set to retire in the Summer 2010.

There are Two Deputy Heads: Rhiannon Evans (English) and Rob Hopkins (Business/Economics).

There are Three Assistant Heads: Julie Phillips (English), Alison Grabham (Business/Economics) and Caroline Nightingale (Maths).

There are a number of other key figure heads:

Maths Faculty: Richard Martin (Maths). Maths, Statistics, Pure Maths, Mechanics and Key Skills Number (Julie Watt).

English Faculty: Sara Dodwell (English). English Language, English Literature (Catrin Jones) and Keys Skills Communication (Susan Hawthorne).

Acting Sciences Faculty Leader: Mary Phillips (Biology). Science, Biology, Chemistry (Leanne Bowness), Physics and Electronics (Steve Jones).

Humanities Faculty Leader: Lowri Florence (RS). RS, Geography (Ceri Richmond), History (Andy May), Business Studies & Economics (Gareth Austin), Travel & Tourism (Karen Vaughan-Jones) Media & Film Studies (Gill Lewis), Sociology/Politics (Sally Struthers), Geology (Dick Pothecary) and Psychology (Liz Reardon).

Learning Support Leader: Natalie Ward. Dyslexia (Ley Chowdhury), Dyspraxia (Sue Hughes) and Learning Support.

Acting Languages Faculty Leader: Debbie Walsh (French). French, Welsh (Bethan Cooper) and German (Kelly Smith).

Technologies Faculty Leader: Helen Hare (Home Economics). Home Economics, Design Technology (Kelly Davies) and ICT/Computing and Key Skills Computers (R George).

Arts Faculty Leader: Paul Bowen (PE & Sport). PE & Sport, Art & Design (Charles Hally), Music (Zoe Fender)and Drama & Theatre Studies (Paula Beesley).

Year 7 Head: Mr. Peter Cavalli (Geography) Deputy: Mrs. Gill Horrell (Home Economics)

Year 8 Head: Mrs. Jan Moloney (ICT) Deputy: Mr. Alan Harris (Chemistry)

Year 9 Head: Mr. Steve Hiscocks (Maths) Deputy: Mr. Keith Jones (History)

Year 10 Head: Mr. Chris Evans(Geography) Deputy: Mrs. Julie Morgan (Music)

Year 11 Head: Mrs. Diane Thomspon (History) Deputy: Mr. Matt Copp (Biology)

Year 12/13 Head: Mr. Steve Ruddall (Geography) Deputies: Mrs. Sue Williams (RS) & Mr. Rob Harris (PE)

Admissions

Brynteg is one of the largest schools in South Wales, with approximately 2000 students. The student body is divided into five year groups plus two sixth form years: Years 7 - 9 are generally classified as Lower School students, while Years 10 - 11 and the Sixth Form (Years 12 - 13) are regarded as Upper School students. This is respective of where the majority of the lessons are held and also where the assembly and form room venues are.

Facilities

The school is located on Ewenny Road (B4265) close to the roundabout with the A48, opposite the Heronsbridge School which shares some architectural qualities with the Upper School. Brynteg has two rugby pitches, a cricket field, a gravel hockey pitch, tennis courts and a large indoor sports hall. In recent years, the school saw the construction of a new Maths Block, Language Block and Science Block on a site between Lower and Upper School. More recently, the new Art Block was completed, and a new four room English block was completed.

Sport

Brynteg has also been affiliated with its strong rugby alumni. Several Welsh players, including Gavin Henson and Robert Howley, have attended the school and played for the school team.

Academic performance

In regards to examination performance records, the school is also favourable academically with 75% of GCSE students achieving 5 A*-C grades in their examinations.

Brynteg is also a venue for the Welsh Baccaulaureate, a new qualification offered to Welsh students studying at A2 and AS Levels.

Traditions

The school motto is in Welsh A fo pen bidd pont which translates as "To be a leader, be a bridge".

Affiliations

The school has connections with partner schools in France, Canada, South America and Africa.

Alumni

• Prof Keith Burnett, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sheffield since 2007, Professor of Physics at the University of Oxford from 1996-2007
• Carwyn Jones - Current First Minister for Wales
• Maria Miller, Conservative MP for Basingstoke
• Gary Owen, playwright

Olympic Champion

• Nicole Cooke - road bicycle racer - Olympic Champion 2008

Rugby Union

• B.B. Bennetts, (Penzance),2 caps (for England), 1909
• J.M.C. Lewis, (Cambridge University, Cardiff), Wales, 11 caps 1912-1923
• H. Wyndham Thomas, (Cambridge University, Swansea), Wales, 2 caps 1912-1913
• Melbourne Thomas, (Bridgend, St. Bats), Wales, 6 caps 1919-1924
• Dr. Jack Matthews, (Cardiff), Wales, 17 caps 1947-1951, British Lions, 6 caps 1950
• Ken Richards, (Bridgend), Wales, 5 caps 1960-61
• Wilson Lauder, (Neath), 18 caps (for Scotland) 1969-1976
• J.P.R. Williams (Bridgend, London Welsh), Wales, 55 caps 1969-1981, British Lions, 8 caps 1971 & 1974
• Gerald Williams (Bridgend, Glam Wanderers), Wales, 4 caps 1980-1982
• Gareth Powell Williams (Bridgend), Wales, 5 caps 1981-1982
• Mike Hall (Cardiff), Wales, (Captain) 42 caps 1988-1995, British Lions, 1 cap 1989
• Owain Williams (Bridgend), Wales, 1 cap 1990
• Rob Howley (Bridgend, Cardiff, Wasps), Wales, (Captain) 59 caps 1995-2002, British Lions, 2 caps 1997 & 2001
• Dafydd James (Bridgend, etc), Wales, 49 caps 1995-2007, British Lions, 3 caps 2001
• Gavin Henson (Swansea, Ospreys), Wales, 28 caps 2001- , British Lions, 1 cap 2005
• James Bater, (Llanelli Scarlets), Wales, 1 cap 2003-
• Gareth John Williams, (Cardiff Blues), Wales, 5 caps 2003-
• Chris Walker, (Canterbury Crusaders), Wales 105 caps 2005-

Bridgend Grammar School for Girls

• Janice Gregory, Labour Welsh AM

Bridgend Grammar School for Boys

• Prof Edward Abel CBE, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Exeter from 1972-97, and President of the Royal Society of Chemistry from 1996-8
• Prof Michael Brown, Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University since 2000
• Robert Minhinnick, poet
• Prof Gareth Morris CBE, Professor of Microbiology at Aberystwyth University from 1971-2000
• Prof David Thomas, Professor of Geography at the University of Birmingham from 1978-95
• John V. Tucker, computer scientist

Former teachers

• Wayne David, Labour MP for Caerphilly
• Lynn Davies Olympic Champion (long jump) 1964 Tokyo Games (Bridgend Grammar School PE teacher)

External links

• EduBase