Ysgol Bryn Gwalia is committed to delivering a dynamic, inclusive, and forward-thinking curriculum that reflects the principles of the Curriculum for Wales. Our approach is rooted in our school’s values, the unique context of Mold, and the developmental needs of our pupils. This rationale draws upon the latest Estyn inspection (December 2023) and our ongoing engagement with the local community and national educational priorities.
School Context
Ysgol Bryn Gwalia is a welcoming, inclusive primary school located in the heart of Mold, Flintshire. We currently have 144 learners on roll, including a nurture class and a diverse range of learners with varying needs and backgrounds. Our school serves a community with a mixture of social and economic contexts, with a number of learners eligible for free school meals and additional support. We pride ourselves on being a nurturing, trauma-informed setting that supports the well-being and development of every child. Our school population reflects growing diversity, with learners from a range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds contributing to a vibrant and inclusive school community. We are deeply rooted in our local heritage, while also offering learners rich experiences that connect them to Wales and the wider world.
What Makes Us Special
At Ysgol Bryn Gwalia, we are a nurturing, inclusive, and ambitious community school, proudly rooted in Mold. We are dedicated to developing children who are confident, capable, and compassionate, and everything we do — from our curriculum design to our community outreach — reflects these values.
Our Estyn inspection (December 2023) recognised numerous strengths across the school, and we continue to grow through our commitment to excellence, innovation, and care.
Strong Relationships and a Caring Community
We foster a culture where every child feels safe, valued, and known. Estyn praised the respectful, trusting relationships among pupils, staff, and families. Our whole-school ethos promotes inclusion, mutual respect, and a strong sense of belonging.
Practical Support for Families
We go beyond the classroom to support families and remove barriers to learning: Our free daily breakfast club, funded by the Greggs Foundation, ensures children begin the day with a healthy meal in a welcoming environment. Our Food and Fun summer club offers free holiday activities, meals, and enrichment, supporting families and promoting well-being year-round.
Well being and Nurture at the Centre
Estyn praised our strong provision for emotional well being. Our dedicated nurture class, Dosbarth Dewryn, offers calm, structured support for pupils needing additional social and emotional guidance. We are a My Happy Mind School, and three of our staff are qualified through Trauma Informed Schools UK, equipping them to support children’s emotional needs with understanding and empathy. We also follow the KiVa anti-bullying programme, recognised on the BBC Live Morning Show for its positive impact on school culture.
Tots and Teens Programme
Our wonderful Tots and Teens programme sees pupils from Mold Alun High School work weekly with our Nursery and Reception learners, building intergenerational connections, developing leadership skills in older pupils, and fostering confidence and communication in our youngest learners. It’s a heartwarming example of community working together to enrich early education.
Intergenerational Connections Through Our Partnership with Mold Community Hospital
We are proud of our strong and meaningful partnership with Mold Community Hospital, where our pupils visit the residents weekly to take part in shared projects, storytelling, arts and crafts, music, and games. These visits build intergenerational connections, promoting empathy, respect, and social awareness in our learners while bringing joy, companionship, and mental stimulation to the residents. This special relationship not only enhances pupils’ confidence and communication skills but also fosters a deep sense of community belonging. It’s a beautiful example of how learning can extend far beyond the classroom, making a genuine difference in the lives of others.
High-Quality Teaching and Learning
Estyn recognised the effective use of assessment, questioning, and feedback to support pupil progress. Despite many pupils beginning with lower starting points, most make strong progress in literacy, numeracy, and digital competence, supported by a broad and balanced curriculum that builds knowledge and skills over time.
A Curriculum for Life
Our curriculum builds identity, empathy, and a sense of purpose. We help pupils develop their cynefin — their connection to Wales, their community, and their place in the world. We are a Rights Respecting School and a School of Sanctuary, embedding inclusion, global citizenship, and pupil voice in everything we do. As an Ashoka Changemaker School, we empower our pupils to lead change, show empathy, and solve real-world problems with creativity and confidence. Through Young Enterprise, we’re becoming a Centre of Excellence for Financial Education, and our Silver Siarter Iaith Award reflects our commitment to bilingualism and Welsh culture.
Inquiry-Based, Skills-Focused Learning
Our inquiry-based curriculum is built around big questions and real-world connections. Pupils are encouraged to explore, investigate, and reflect on their learning, with strong emphasis on cross-curricular skills — literacy, numeracy, and digital competence — being applied in meaningful contexts across all year groups.
Enriching Experiences and Real-World Learning
We offer an exciting range of enrichment opportunities, including:
A recent school trip to Cyprus with Year 6
Residential TRIPS to Cardiff, London, Glanllyn, and Pentrellyncymer
Our Tots and Teens collaboration with Mold Alun High School
Sporting excellence, recognised through the Chance to Shine Cricket – School of the Year award
Achievement of the Dragon Sport Platinum Award, celebrating our commitment to physical activity, competitive sport, and inclusive PE for all pupils
These experiences develop independence, confidence, and lifelong memories.
Leadership and National Recognition
Estyn praised our compassionate, strategic leadership, supported by effective governance and strong self-evaluation. Our whole-school improvement journey is shared, collaborative, and inclusive of our wider community.
We are proud to have been recognised across Wales and the UK:
School of the Year for Flintshire and Wrexham
Teaching Assistant of the Year for Wales
UK Teaching Assistant of the Year – Pearson National Teaching Awards
Headteacher of the Year for Flintshire and Wrexham
At Ysgol Bryn Gwalia, we are more than just a school — we are a thriving community of curiosity, compassion, and opportunity, where every child is supported to grow, lead, and thrive.
Our Vision and Mission Statement
Our mission statement and curriculum vision have been collaboratively developed with our children, staff, governors, parents, and the wider community. As a community school, we place nurture and well-being at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to enabling every child to thrive and reach their full potential.
Kindness underpins our school culture — kindness to ourselves, to one another, and to the world around us. We believe in the power of support, connection, and shared responsibility. By working together, we empower each member of our school community to succeed and flourish.
Our Aims
We are committed to:
- Empowering ambitious, capable learners who are ready to learn throughout their lives.
- Prioritising positive relationships as the foundation of all learning and development.
- Creating enterprising, creative contributors, ready to play a full part in life and work.
- Shaping ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the wider world.
- Fostering healthy, confident individuals who feel valued and secure in who they are.
- Teaching children how to be independent, reflective learners, capable of leading their own learning journey.
- Nurturing an inclusive, caring, and happy environment where every child feels safe, respected, and inspired.
- Offering a dynamic, twenty-first-century curriculum that excites, challenges, and reflects the needs of our community.
- Promoting a strong sense of belonging and pride in our school and wider community.
Our Values and Behaviours
At Ysgol Bryn Gwalia, our core values shape the way we learn, grow, and treat one another. They are the foundation of our school community and guide the behaviours we model every day.
Kindness
We show kindness and empathy to ourselves and others at all times. By creating a safe and positive environment, we encourage our pupils to carry kindness into every part of their lives.
Honesty
We believe in being honest, even when it's difficult. Pupils are supported to express themselves truthfully in a kind, respectful, and compassionate way, knowing that honesty builds trust and integrity.
Resilience
We encourage a positive attitude to learning and help children to persevere through challenges. When things get tough, we don’t give up — we use our support network, learn from mistakes, and keep going with confidence.
Nurture
We are committed to nurturing the whole child. We support our learners to be self-regulated, well-equipped, determined, and always ready to say “Yes!” to new opportunities. Every day is a chance to grow, connect, and take part in meaningful learning.
Gwalia, a name that reflects our Welsh identity and pride, represents the spirit of the Four Purposes. Like a dragon drawing on its strength and wisdom, Gwalia y Ddraig supports our pupils to grow into:
Ambitious, Capable Learners
Gwalia helps us to:
- Challenge ourselves and strive to do our very best.
- Persevere, even when things are difficult.
- Use our skills across a wide range of learning.
- Communicate clearly in both English and Welsh.
- Use technology confidently and creatively.
- Solve problems using reasoning and number skills.
- Ask thoughtful questions to deepen our understanding.
Ethically Informed Citizens
Gwalia reminds us to:
- Show care for our planet and the people on it.
- Learn about and celebrate different cultures.
- Understand our rights as children.
- Respect others and treat everyone with fairness.
- Ask questions and form thoughtful opinions.
- Explore what makes us who we are.
- Be proud citizens of Wales and the wider world.
Enterprising, Creative Contributors
Gwalia encourages us to:
- Think creatively and solve problems in new ways.
- Work positively, share ideas, and collaborate in teams.
- Take sensible, measured risks.
- Express ourselves through words, movement, and art.
- Grasp new opportunities and explore them with curiosity.
- Design, create, and share with others.
Healthy, Confident Individuals
With Gwalia’s support, we:
- Keep our minds and bodies healthy through activity and well-being.
- Ask for help when we need it and know who we can turn to.
- Learn from our mistakes and see them as part of growth.
- Try new experiences and build our independence.
- Respect the views of others and listen with empathy.
- Stay safe in all aspects of our lives.
- Take ownership of our learning and take pride in it.
Our non-negotiable
Following consultation with learners, staff, families, and the wider community, we have identified a core set of practices that will remain at the heart of Ysgol Bryn Gwalia as we move confidently towards a new educational future.
These key components reflect our values, our vision, and what our community believes matters most in creating a rich, purposeful, and nurturing learning experience:
Outdoor Learning and Forest School
Using natural spaces to inspire curiosity, confidence, and resilience.
Pupil Voice
Empowering learners to shape their education and take active roles in school life.
Protected Reading Time
Prioritising reading as a lifelong skill and pleasure.
Targeted Interventions
Providing personalised support to help every learner thrive.
Residential and Educational Visits
Offering real-world, memorable experiences that deepen learning.
Helpwr Heddiw and C’mon Cymraeg Sessions
Promoting the Welsh language in daily, meaningful ways.
Pupil Committees
Encouraging responsibility, leadership, and democratic engagement.
Behaviour Awards and Token Systems
Celebrating positive behaviour and effort.
Sports Competitions
Building teamwork, perseverance, and school spirit through physical activity.
Nurture Provisions
Supporting emotional well-being and personal development in a caring environment.
Urdd and Eisteddfod Participation
Celebrating our Welsh culture through music, arts, and performance.
Seesaw
Strengthening home–school communication and sharing learning journeys.
These practices are not just traditions — they are purposeful elements of our curriculum that reflect our commitment to every child’s development and our identity as a community-centred school.
Ysgol Bryn Gwalia Experiences
After consultations with staff, learners and parents we created our experience promise to all leaners at Ysgol Bryn Gwalia.
Curriculum Structure and Delivery
At Ysgol Bryn Gwalia, our curriculum has been thoughtfully designed using the Navigating the Curriculum for Wales framework as a guiding structure. This curriculum model allows us to remain responsive, inclusive, and forward-thinking while staying true to the principles and values of Curriculum for Wales. Our curriculum is designed to provide rich, inclusive, and meaningful learning experiences that support all children to thrive.
Four Purposes
At its core are the Four Purposes, which shape our vision and aspirations for all learners—to become ambitious, capable learners; enterprising, creative contributors; ethical, informed citizens; and healthy, confident individuals. These purposes are the foundation upon which we build every aspect of our curriculum and assessment processes.
Areas of Learning and experience
In designing our curriculum, we have carefully considered the unique context, identity, and needs of our school community. This includes the backgrounds, interests, and experiences of our learners, as well as the local environment and wider Welsh heritage that shape who we are. We have used this understanding to ensure that all Areas of Learning and Experience (AoLEs)—Languages, Literacy and Communication; Mathematics and Numeracy; Science and Technology; Humanities; Health and Well-being; and Expressive Arts—are not only fully represented but also delivered in a way that provides clear continuity and progression across year groups. Each AoLE is underpinned by strong disciplinary knowledge, allowing pupils to develop subject-specific understanding while also making meaningful connections across the curriculum. This approach supports deep learning, encourages high expectations, and ensures that every child is equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive now and in the future.
Cross-Cutting Themes
We have integrated cross-cutting themes such as human rights, diversity, and careers and work-related experiences across all Areas of Learning and Experience to enrich learning and ensure it reflects the complexity of the world our pupils live in. These themes are not taught in isolation but are embedded meaningfully within our inquiry-based approach, helping pupils to develop a deeper understanding of their role in society, the importance of equity and inclusion, and the opportunities available to them beyond school. Through this integration, learners are encouraged to value different perspectives, understand their rights and responsibilities, and begin to explore future pathways in a purposeful and age-appropriate way. This ensures that our curriculum remains inclusive, aspirational, and outward-looking, equipping pupils with the skills and awareness they need to thrive as informed, confident citizens in Wales and the wider world.
Integral Skills
Integral skills such as creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, planning, and personal effectiveness are explicitly developed through our inquiry-led approaches. These skills are woven into everyday learning experiences, enabling pupils to become active participants in their own development. As learners explore big questions and real-world challenges, they are encouraged to generate original ideas, analyse information critically, and collaborate effectively with others. Opportunities to plan, organise, and reflect on their progress are built into the learning process, helping them to set goals, adapt strategies, and take increasing ownership of their learning. By embedding these integral skills across the curriculum, we prepare our pupils not only to succeed academically but also to thrive in a rapidly changing world as confident, independent, and resourceful individuals.
Cross-Curricular Skills
We have embedded the cross-curricular skills of literacy, numeracy, and digital competence across all Areas of Learning and Experience, ensuring that these essential skills are not taught in isolation but applied consistently in authentic, real-life contexts. Through carefully planned learning experiences, pupils are given regular opportunities to read, write, communicate, calculate, reason, and use digital tools for a range of meaningful purposes. Whether they are interpreting data in science, presenting research findings through multimedia, or writing persuasively as part of a humanities inquiry, learners are encouraged to see these skills as integral to all areas of learning. This approach supports progression, builds confidence, and helps pupils understand how these core competencies are relevant beyond the classroom, preparing them for life, learning, and work in the modern world.
Structured Weekly Learning: Building Strong Disciplinary Foundations
Each class follows a consistent timetable that includes weekly delivery of key disciplinary learning areas, which build strong foundations in essential skills:
- English
- Spelling and Phonics
- Mathematics
- Reading
- Helpwr Heddiw / C’mon Cymraeg
Our Approach to Inquiry-Based Learning
Following our most recent inspection, and in response to the recommendation to refine provision to ensure consistent opportunities for pupils to apply their literacy, numeracy and digital skills in relevant, real-life situations, we made the strategic decision to adopt an inquiry-based curriculum at Ysgol Bryn Gwalia.
This shift ensures that learning is consistently purposeful, authentic, and embedded in real-world contexts. It enables pupils to apply key skills in literacy, numeracy, and digital competence across the curriculum in ways that are both meaningful and motivating.
What is Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL)?
Inquiry-Based Learning is a learner-centred approach that places curiosity at the heart of the learning process. It begins with a meaningful question or real-world problem, which learners explore through active investigation and reflection. Throughout the inquiry, pupils build essential skills, knowledge, and language, while taking ownership of both their learning and its direction.
For younger learners, this approach complements their natural curiosity and supports deep engagement through hands-on, creative experiences.
Why Do We Use Inquiry-Based Learning at Ysgol Bryn Gwalia?
We understand that no single method suits every learner. The flexibility of IBL allows learning to be tailored to each child’s interests, strengths, and preferred learning styles, supporting greater engagement and deeper learning.
Key benefits of IBL include:
Genuine motivation – Learners explore topics that matter to them.
Language with purpose – English and Welsh are used meaningfully to ask questions, share findings, and reflect.
Ownership of learning – Pupils lead their own learning journey.
Real-world connections – Learning is embedded in everyday experiences and local/global contexts.
Moreover, inquiry-based learning empowers pupils with choice and voice, increasing motivation and helping them develop as confident, independent learners who are equipped for life beyond the classroom.
How is Inquiry-Based Learning Inclusive?
IBL is inherently inclusive. It allows all learners to access the curriculum in ways that reflect their needs and strengths. It:
Celebrates a wide range of abilities and skills – including creativity, critical thinking, empathy, and problem-solving.
Supports neurodivergent learners – such as those with ADHD, ASD, Dyslexia, and other specific learning differences.
Offers flexible groupings and formats – including whole-class, group, pair, and independent inquiry.
Encourages multi modal learning – using text, video, audio, discussion, artwork, and hands-on exploration.
By offering multiple pathways into learning, IBL ensures that every learner can participate, contribute, and thrive — helping us meet our commitment to equity, inclusion, and excellence for all.
This inquiry-based approach ensures that learning is purposeful, empowering, and driven by the interests and needs of our pupils — giving every learner the tools they need to grow, question, and succeed.
Planning for Purposeful Inquiry
To ensure we are actively addressing the Estyn recommendation—to provide consistent opportunities for pupils to apply their literacy, numeracy, and digital skills in relevant, real-life situations—teachers at Ysgol Bryn Gwalia now plan their inquiry-based learning using a set of reflective questions. These questions help ensure that all learning is purposeful, authentic, and rooted in the real world, making it meaningful for every learner:
Why?
Why is this inquiry important to and for your learners?
Teachers consider the relevance of the inquiry to pupils’ lives, interests, and personal development.
How?
How will this inquiry be authentic to your learners?
Planning focuses on ensuring the inquiry reflects real-world contexts and offers opportunities for learners to explore, question, and connect.
What?
What current affairs or real-world issues might be relevant to this inquiry?
This encourages staff to link learning to current events or local, national, or global themes, helping learners understand the wider significance of their learning.
By using these guiding questions, staff design learning that is not only rich in skill development but also engaging, inclusive, and responsive to the world our pupils live in.
Our Two-Year Topic Cycle
In 2025, we redesigned our two-year topic cycle to ensure that our curriculum is relevant, meaningful, and well-suited to an inquiry-based approach. Each overarching topic is intentionally broad and open-ended, allowing it to be adapted across all year groups—from Nursery to Year 6. This flexibility enables teachers to pose big questions that are developmentally appropriate for their learners, while still connecting to a shared theme across the school. This structure ensures both coherence and progression, allowing all pupils to engage deeply with their learning through exploration, curiosity, and cross-curricular inquiry.
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