About Us

St Cyres School

St. Cyres School is an 11-18 mixed, English medium, non-denominational Comprehensive School. The school is situated on a split site. The main site which houses some 1100 pupils in Years' 7-13 is on the edge of the town of Penarth in the Vale of Glamorgan. An annexe 2.5 miles away in Dinas Powys houses 300 - 400 pupils in Years' 7 to 9. The Vale of Glamorgan Council has approved a plan to integrate the school onto one site in new accommodation and design work is well underway.

Our students are drawn partly from five associated junior schools within Penarth and nearby villages and partly by parental choice from a wider area stretching as far as Barry and parts of Cardiff. The school also accommodates a number of pupils with physical disabilities, hearing impairment and a number of other learning difficulties. The school is therefore proud of the fact that its academic results have consistently been well above national norms.

The school enjoys very good liaison with its contributory schools and has an excellent reputation in the community. This is emphasised by the fact that substantial numbers join us from outside the traditional catchment area.

The school attaches great importance to the effective guidance and pastoral support of all pupils. The progress and welfare of each year group is overseen by a Head of Year, assisted by an interdisciplinary team of support staff and a team of Learning Coaches. All pupils are interviewed individually by Learning Coaches every term. Each year group has a Year Council which enables and encourages pupils to play an active part in the development of the school and the School Council which is also very active.

All pupils, including the Sixth Form, are expected to wear school uniform. Our smart but quite informal uniform has proved very popular with students of all ages. Sixth formers wear a different uniform from the rest of the school, which they chose when it was introduced.

New School Build

We at St Cyres are delighted at the announcement that the funding for the NEW St Cyres School building has been secured. The consultation period has now ended and we are now working closely with the Design Team to ensure that the pupils and staff of our school have the accomodation they all deserve. If all goes to plan, we can anticipate building work commencing in October next year. The plans are ambitious, exciting and herald a new dawn in the history of this fine school.

Timetable

The school timetable is based on a 50 period fortnight which provides 25 hours of lesson time each week.

The school day runs from 8.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.

English, Mathematics, Science, Welsh, French or German, Geography, History, Religious Education, Music, Art, Technology, Information Technology, Personal Social Education and Physical Education are compulsory subjects during years 7 to 9.

English, Mathematics, Science, Welsh, RE, Personal, Social and Health Education (which includes Careers Education) and Physical Education remain compulsory in years 10 and 11. Pupils then select from four general option groups.

Post 16

A wide range of options is available to post 16 students. These include A and AS Level subjects as well as some GCSE retakes. All students in Year 12 are given the opportunity of a period of work experience and follow courses leading to Key Skills qualifications.

Sixth Formers help younger pupils with special needs and undertake a significant amount of voluntary work in the local community.

A Head Boy and Girl and other senior students are appointed to posts of responsibility annually by an application and interview process.

The Sixth Form benefits from a number of special privileges and responsibilities. These include the use of a designated common room and private study facilities. The Sixth Form play a very active part in the life of the school through their Sixth Form Council which organises social activities and charity events and manages the common room.

Welsh Baccalaureate

The school was one of the first 19 in the whole of Wales selected to pilot the Welsh Baccalaureate.

We are proud to be part of this prestigious project which we believe will undoubtedly shape the future of the post-14 curriculum in Wales. Our experiences, to date, have been extremely positive and our results were the best in Wales with 102 students this year gaining the full Advanced Diploma which is equivalent to an additional A Level at Grade A.

The pilot was successfully extended into Key Stage 4 two years ago, following which it was rolled out to all Year 10 students. Pupils who are successful in achieving this award will gain the equivalent of 4 GCSEs in Year 11.

During our Inspection in 2007 it was noted that 'in the Sixth Form the Welsh Baccalaureate provision is outstanding'.

Extra Curricular Activities

The school has developed a fine record of success for academic, sporting and other achievements together with a strong reputation for providing a caring, secure and happy working environment.

The extensive range of extra-curricular activities plays a significant role in promoting the pupils' personal and social development. This includes an impressive record of fund-raising events for charities, overseen by a Charity Committee containing representatives from all year groups. The school is also involved in exciting links with schools overseas.