Ysgol Llangennech (officially Ysgol Gymraeg Llangennech, English: Llangennech School) is a Welsh primary school located in Llangennech, Carmarthenshire. It was previously two schools, Ysgol Babanod Llangennech and Ysgol Iau Llangennech (in English, Llangennech Infant and Junior school respectively). These amalgamated in 2017 when the school became Welsh-only.
| Ysgol Gymraeg Llangennech | |
|---|---|
 | |
 The Years 3-6 building, viewed from below the playing field | |
| Address | |
 | |
Ysgol Gymraeg Llangennech Carmarthenshire , SA14 8YB Wales | |
| Information | |
| Department for Education URN | 402412 Tables |
| Headmaster | Gary Anderson[1] |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Enrollment | 420 (2022) |
| Website | Official website |
| Last updated: 7 January 2024 | |
The school came under the spotlight when it stopped offering bilingual education in 2017.
It has a successful choir which has competed in national competitions.
History edit
Change from bilingual to Welsh-only edit
In January 2017 Carmarthenshire County Council voted 38-20 for the school to become Welsh-only rather than bilingual from September 2017.[2] This move proved controversial and garnered widespread press coverage. Outlets reporting on the decision included The Guardian[3] and S4C's Y Byd ar Bedwar.[4] It was also brought up on the BBC's Question Time.[1]
Opponents of the move included Neil Hamilton.
A Labour council member was criticised for likening the move to a form of apartheid.[3] Another Labour party member was accused of coordinating with Hamilton and sharing posts from the far-right English Defence League. The latter was suspended from the party.[5][6]
Extracurricular activities edit
The school has a successful choir who have competed in Songs of Praise's School Choir of the Year and the Urdd Eisteddfod, the former of which they won in 2015.[7]
References edit
- ^ a b Bannon, Christie (2017-02-10). "Parents opposing Welsh education told they 'can cross the border'". Wales Online. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
- ^ "English stream education removed from Ysgol Llangennech". BBC News. 2017-01-17. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ a b Tickle, Louise; Morris, Steven (2017-06-20). "'We're told we're anti-Welsh bigots and fascists' – the storm over Welsh-first schooling". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
- ^ "Y Byd ar Bedwar". Y Byd ar Bedwar (in Welsh). 2017-03-21. S4C.
- ^ Sinclair, Tom (2017-02-18). "Llangennech protestor suspended from Labour party". Herald.Wales. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
- ^ "Labour 'member' suspended after Llangennech language row". BBC News. 2017-02-19. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
- ^ Misstear, Rachael (2015-05-18). "Llangennech Junior School 'bursting with pride' after choir take home title". Wales Online. Retrieved 2024-01-04.