# Ysgol Llanhari

Ysgol Llanhari is a Welsh-medium school for 3-19 year olds situated in the village of Llanharry, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales.

## History

Llanhari is one of the Welsh medium secondary schools in the area, having opened in 1974. It followed Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen in leading the way in Welsh medium education in South Wales. In 1974, the school was located in the county of Mid Glamorgan and had a huge catchment area from Tonteg and Cardiff in the east, all the way to Porthcawl and Maesteg in the west. It became popular very quickly and grew in numbers, becoming oversubscribed. Within a few years, it was decided that South Glamorgan pupils would be educated in their own county and in 1978, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf opened in Cardiff. On 6 June 2011, it was publicly announced that from 2012 the school would incorporate a primary unit and become a 3-18 school. On 3 September 2012, the Primary Unit was opened and the school was formally designated a 3-18 school with the new name of Ysgol Llanhari. Mrs Catherine Webb is Assistant Head with responsibility for this unit.

## Feeder schools

Llantrisant, Tonyrefail, Dolau and the primary section of Ysgol Llanhari are the current feeder schools to the secondary department at Llanhari. Before the opening of Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd in 2008, the following schools also fed Llanhari with pupils from the county of Bridgend: Ysgol Y Ferch o'r Sger, Ysgol Bro Ogwr, Ysgol Cynwyd Sant and Ysgol Gymraeg Cwm Garw. These pupils are now educated at Llangynwyd, within their own county.

## Headteacher

To date, Ysgol Llanhari has been led by six heads. Mrs Meinir Thomas was appointed headteacher in September 2022. Until August 2022, Mrs Rhian Phillips was the headteacher at the school. She succeeded Mr Meirion Stephens, who served as head of Llanhari from January 2008. He was preceded by Miss T Anne Morris, who took over in 2003. Prior to this, Mr Peter Griffiths, father of Ioan Gruffudd, star of such films as Fantastic Four and Wilde served as head from 1989. The original head when the school opened in 1974 was Mr Merfyn Griffiths.
Until August 2022, Ms Meinir Thomas served as deputy headteacher, with Ms Catherine Webb, Mr Geoffrey Howell, Mrs Elen George and Mr Marc Evans serving as assistant head teachers.
The senior leadership team currently consists of the headteacher, Mrs Meinir Thomas, the deputy headteacher, Mrs Ffion Porter, four assistant headteachers: Mr Marc Evans, Mrs Elen George, Ms Elin Hobbs and Mrs Catherine Webb, and two associate assistant headteachers: Ms Angharad Morgan and Mr Lloyd Owens.

## Heads of Year

Until August 2022, Mrs Jenna Martin-Williams was responsible for Years 7 and 8. Miss Sian Morris was the Attainment Standards Leader for Years 9 and 10 and Mr Stephen Wilshaw was the Attainment Standards Leader for Years 11, 12 and 13.
Since September 2024, the heads of year are structured as follows:
Head of Year 7: Mr John Rivers
Head of Year 8: Mr Rhys James
Head of Year 9: Mr Rhys Rickman
Head of Years 10 & 11: Miss Lauren Davies
Head of Years 12 & 13: Miss Beca Creamer

## Exam results

Examination results have consistently improved since 2008. In 2012, 75% of pupils attained grades A*-C in all A-Level subjects sat, and 97% were awarded grades A-E in all subjects. At GCSE, 74.2% of all grades awarded were A*-C and 74.6% of students attained the 5 A*-C benchmark.

## Notable former or current pupils

* Mererid Hopwood, poet and academic - first woman ever to win the chair at the National Eisteddfod of Wales
* Manon Antoniazzi, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Senedd
* Garnon Davies, actor (Hollyoaks)
* Bethan Ellis Owen, actress (Pobol y Cwm)
* Shelley Rees, actress (Pobol y Cwm)
* Gareth Wyatt, Welsh international rugby player
* Scott Gibbs, Welsh international rugby player
* Guto Harri, former BBC Chief Political Correspondent, Communications Director for the Mayor of London's administration.
* Betsan Powys, journalist, and former head of BBC Radio Cymru
* Rhys Williams, professional athlete, specialising in the 400 m hurdles
* Aled Siôn Davies, Paralympian
* Laura Prosser, Welsh International Rugby Player, Cardiff Blues Rugby Player and CrossFit Athlete.
* Gemma Hallett, Welsh International Rugby Player, Cardiff Blues Rugby Player and Tech Entrepreneur.
* Paul Amos, actor