In September 2024 a new Welsh-medium primary school opened to serve both Monmouth and the surrounding towns and villages. Ysgol Gymraeg Trefynwy shares their school site with Overmonnow Primary School and from September will welcome pupils from nursery age to Year 3 pupils.
For the academic year 2025/2026, Ysgol Gymraeg Trefynwy will offer full days for 3 and 4 year olds in line with the school opening hours, rising 3 pupils will be welcomed in January and April. In future, it is hoped there will be a Welsh medium Cylch Meithrin on the school site that is able to provide wrap around childcare for 3 and 4 year olds, as well as Flying Start childcare for 2 year olds, so the school nursery will then revert to part time sessions of 2 ½ hours a day in line with the rest of Monmouthshire
Becoming Bilingual
Thinking about sending your child to a Welsh-medium school?…
So what does being bilingual mean ?
It’s the ability to live your everyday life using two languages.
As a parent, deciding on your child’s education will be one of the most important decisions that you will make. An increasing number of parents can testify that choosing Welsh medium education for their child has been a positive and worthwhile experience.
The information provided here aims to address concerns and state the advantages of being bilingual.
It also maps a clear path for your child through the school years from nursery, to primary and secondary schools and beyond.
Do you want your child to become bilingual ?
“But we don’t speak Welsh!”
With parents who don’t speak Welsh in the majority, schools provide everything in English and Welsh.
“What about their English language skills?”
When children leave Welsh medium primary school they are fluent in Welsh, and as fluent in English as children from English medium schools.
“Why Welsh medium education?”
The quality of education is excellent, it’s easy to learn a language from an early age, and children enjoy their lives in English and Welsh!
So, what are the benefits of being bilingual ?
You can live your life in two (or more) languages Living in Wales your life is enriched when you can speak Welsh. And if you want to travel or already speak other languages at home, learning another is easier!
There are fantastic work and career opportunities… Speaking two languages offers more employment opportunities as well as an additional skill on your C.V.
Talking with people in their choice of language is an advantage. These career areas in particular are keen to employ Welsh speakers – media, information technology, health, the public sector, sports and leisure, retail, and the childcare sector etc.
Boost your brain… International research shows that bilingual children tend to achieve higher within the curriculum and perform better in exams. They also tend to do better working under pressure.
How is Welsh taught in a Welsh-medium school ?
- When children begin learning Welsh, they will be immersed in the language from the start but the staff are flexible and can use English if necessary to ensure their wellbeing.
- Welsh is the language of Education in the Foundation Phase (nursery-Y2) and then children will have lessons in English and use English in their lessons across the curriculum.
- This is an internationally recognised method of learning languages.
- From Y3 pupils follow the same English curriculum as pupils in English medium schools through to GCSE.
Their bilingual education experience - 3 – 18 year olds
Welsh Immersion Centre
Welsh Language Provision and Support
Quick Links
Becoming Bilingual Download