About Llantwit Major School... Llantwit Major School is an 11-18 mixed comprehensive school and was established as such in 1973. The school is situated in the small coastal town of Llantwit Major in the largely rural setting of the Vale of Glamorgan. There are about 1250 pupils on role and a thriving sixth form. The large majority of pupils come from the five main contributory primary schools in Llantwit Major and the satellite villages. A significant number of pupils from Barry and Rhoose attend as a result of parental preference. The school`s catchment can be described as 50 percent relatively prosperous and 50 percent average, with the intake being neither advantaged nor disadvantaged. No pupils speak Welsh as a first language or to an equivalent standard. The subject is taught only as a second language. Very few pupils come from minority ethnic heritages. Only one pupil receives support teaching in English as an additional language. Some 7 percent of the pupils are registered as entitled to free school meals, which is below the unitary authority figure of 12 percent.

Because of its proximity to the St. Athan Royal Air Force base, the school experiences significant but diminishing pupil mobility; around 100 pupils join and leave the school each year. The camp now also houses two regiments of the Welsh Guards. The school`s intake represents the full range of ability, with almost equal groups of able and less able pupils. There are 20 pupils (12 boys and 8 girls) with statements of special educational needs (SEN). There are an additional 300 pupils on the school`s SEN register who are registered as needing School Action (SA) or School Action Plus (SA+) of the Code of Practice for SEN. There are only a few pupils who are disapplied from the National Curriculum.

Who is entitled?

Pupils attending the primary schools linked with Ysgol Llanilltud Fawr - Eagleswell Junior, St. Illtyd's Primary, St. Athan Junior, Wick and Marcross Church in Wales Primary, Llanilltud Fawr Primary and Rhws Primary are automatically guaranteed a place on completion of Year 6. The same applies to pupils who move into this traditional catchment area. Pupils who live further afield and wish to be offered a place in the School should contact the Headteacher well in advance. Numbers have been growing in recent years and we are currently oversubscribed. Our permitted standard number of Intake in September, 2000 is 225 pupils.

First steps at Llantwit Major School...

Pupils from our feeder primary and junior schools due to start secondary education in September spend a whole day of the Summer Term being shown around the School, sitting in on some lessons and having lunch. However, many junior school pupils have their first introduction to the school when taking part in joint activities such as the Combined Schools Festival or an inter-school sports day organised at Llantwit Major School or visiting our Open Evening in October.

Pupils who enter the School at the beginning of a school year spend some time in discussion with teaching staff to ensure that their placement in a particular class enables them to make the best of their opportunities.

The School is particularly experienced also in receiving pupils coming from other schools and at times other than the commencement of the school year, because of the large numbers of children with Service parents it has welcomed over the years. On admission these pupils will be given a short assessment to supplement the information given from the previous school. This will aid appropriate setting where applicable.