Ages 
A community comprehensive school that is proud of its Welsh roots, but at the same time has a global-focus, teaching Mandarin and exploring other cultures. Diversity is embraced and students are supportive of each other. Regardless of ability, students progress well academically, emotionally and socially, helping them to grow in confidence ready for the world beyond Crickhowell.
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Headteacher
Headteacher
Ms. Claire Jones
Since 2022, Claire Jones.
Entrance
Five feeder primary schools but the large catchment area covers 26 schools. Open days followed by induction days help with transition from small village schools to secondary school. Regular inter-school sports tournaments help younger ones get to
Exit
Some 80 per cent complete sixth form. Others leave to go to local colleges, join the Forces or go onto employment and training. Just under 70 per cent of sixth formers go on to university – recently includes history at Warwick, astrophysics at
Latest results
In 2024, 24 per cent A*/A at GCSE; 39 per cent A*/A at A level (62 per cent A*/B).
Teaching & learning
Still one of the top performing schools in Wales, classed as a ‘Green Category/Band One' school by the Welsh Government since 2012, Crickhowell has a strong reputation for achieving good academic results.
Total of 27 A levels offered including
Learning support & SEN
With around 23 per cent of pupils with additional learning needs (ALN), the school takes great pride in being inclusive and was awarded the Inclusion Quality Mark and Centre of Excellence status in 2016. The site is fully wheelchair accessible and
Arts & extracurricular
‘The drama department is excellent and the teachers demonstrate great passion for their subject,’ parents enthused. There is a main production each year, most recently Beauty and the Beast, plus plenty of smaller productions and competitions to get
Sport
Parents are impressed by the sport department. Sports facilities were improved in 2016 with a new 3G all-weather pitch and a refurbished fitness suite and dance studio, also open to the local community. Good professional sports links include a
Ethos & heritage
Founded in 1983, this English medium co-educational secondary school was purpose built for the growing local community, and community is very much at its heart. Situated in the small town of Crickhowell, between Brecon and Abergavenny, it is part of
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Strong pastoral care; well-being is central to the school’s ethos. As well as tutors, students can turn to their heads of year, progress leaders, well-being leaders or student support officer for guidance or support. Parents praised the heads of year
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review A new mobile phone policy was introduced in September 2022. Students are not permitted to use their phones in school but they can carry them in their bags for transport/personal needs at the start and end of the school day. The school runs an iPad leasing scheme which enables them to make progress in their digital competency and skills through their lessons, creating even less need for personal mobile phones. Pupils and staff have provided positive feedback on the change, with clear impact on improving pupil wellbeing and engagement. The school holds high expectations around online behaviours and addresses any incidents that impact learner wellbeing, even if messages/posts are created outside of school hours. The school works positively with families to ensure device use is purposeful and considerate to all.
Pupils & parents
Some travel from as far as Brecon, but most are local. Several teachers have children in the school and many parents were once pupils. On our visit, it was Children In Need day so we can’t comment on uniforms, but parents are impressed with
Money matters
The school runs a hardship fund to help with costs of school trips.
The last word
A community comprehensive school that is proud of its Welsh roots, but at the same time has a global-focus, teaching Mandarin and exploring other cultures. Diversity is embraced and students are supportive of each other. Regardless of ability,
