We work with a range of schools, businesses and third sector organisations to improve outcomes for pupils and families in our wider community.
We work closely with our designated feeder schools within Neath Port Talbot, and also with our preferred placement schools across Swansea, Powys and Carmarthenshire.
Cwmtawe has six designated feeder schools identified by Neath Port Talbot local authority.
Alltwen
Godre’rgraig
Llangiwg
Rhos
Rhydyfro
Tairgwaith
In addition to the pupils in our designated schools, a significant proportion of our annual intake consists of preferred placement pupils (i.e. parents who make an active choice to apply to Cwmtawe from outside our natural catchment).
We are delighted to maintain close working relationships with the following schools.
Clydach Primary School
Glais Primary School
YGG Trebannws
Ynystawe Primary School
If your child attends a school outside our natural catchment, you may not automatically receive updates unless you have registered your details with us.
We also work in partnership with other secondary schools, to share ideas and expertise. Cwmtawe has a strong track record of school-to-school support, as acknowledged in ESTYN’s Thematic Study.
When our pupils leave school at 16, most continue their studies in further education or sixth form. We have strong links with NPTC, Gower College, Morriston Comprehensive School, Maesydderwen School, Bishop Vaughan RC School, Llandovery College and Ffynone House.
We are delighted to support PANTRY, our local foodbank which serves Pontardawe, Alltwen, Trebanos, Rhos, Rhydyfro and Ynysmeudwy. Each year group within the school takes turns on a carousel to collect donations which benefit families within our local area.
Our pupils have been actively involved in Pontardawe Town Council over a number of years. Two pupils have sat on the council and represented the views of young people. They have been instrumental in bringing positive change for the community and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
The school has a very strong link with NPTCU and operates an active school credit union. As one of the first secondary schools to develop a credit union, it has gone from strength to strength.
In addition to promoting good financial habits, the credit union encourages pupils to save for the future. This supplements the financial education provided throughout our PSHE programme and increases pupil awareness of the work of credit unions. We are currently working on an innovative project with NPTCU to strengthen financial education across schools in Wales.
Cwmtawe School is part of the Neath and Afan Sports Association. This three-way partnership aims to develop sport in the local community and ensure the availability of resources in light of funding cuts within local councils. Without the support of the association, many local clubs would not have football and rugby pitches to play on during the evenings and weekends.
The Riverside Centre in Pontardawe work closely with the school to offer all pupils outdoor education experiences and various programmes. For example, all our Year 7 pupils undertake a Forest Skills programme during the summer term, developing a variety of key skills as well as an appreciation of the environment around them. As a key resource in the local community, they also host the Heart of the Valleys Show every September. Park and ride facilities are available from the school to visit the show.
We have developed an excellent relationship with a variety of local churches, which enhances the spiritual, moral and ethical development of pupils. They visit the school to support the active CICS programme and also take assemblies around key dates in the school calendar (e.g. Christmas and Easter).
NPT Family is a local authority resource to provide support and guidance to families throughout the borough. They are available in the school at parents’ evenings and other key events to offer their services first hand.
