Caerleon Comprehensive School () is an 11–18 mixed,

English-medium An English-medium education system is one that uses English as the primary medium of instruction—particularly where English is not the mother tongue of the students. Initially this is associated with the expansion of English from its homeland ...

community

Secondary School A secondary school describes an institution that provides secondary education and also usually includes the building where this takes place. Some secondary schools provide both '' secondary education, lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) ...

and Sixth Form in Caerleon,

Newport Newport most commonly refers to: *Newport, Wales *Newport, Rhode Island, US Newport or New Port may also refer to: Places Asia *Newport City, Metro Manila, a Philippine district in Pasay Europe Ireland *Newport, County Mayo, a town on the ...

, Wales. The school was ranked 6th in the WalesOnline ''Best Secondary Schools in Wales 2018'' awards, and was given the title of best school in the area.

Identity

All pupils are required to wear a uniform, including grey trousers or a knee-length skirt, a navy blue jumper, a navy blue blazer, a sky blue shirt and a maroon tie for boys or a pin badge girls. Sixth formers are distinguished through white shirts and full, maroon ties. The school crest comprises a Roman eagle above the emblem of a fortress (in reference to the town's '' Isca Augusta'' Roman fortress). This is underscored by the school's motto, 'Maximising Potential'.

Location

The school's catchment area covers primary schools in Caerleon and Ponthir, along with Langstone Primary School, Usk Junior School and some students from central Newport schools. The catchment boundaries extend to Caerleon, Ponthir, Llanfrechfa, Llantrisant, Penhow, and Llanmartin. Parental concerns in Monmouthshire were raised in 2019 as Monmouthshire County Council brought new boundaries into effect, meaning Usk Primary School students are to move to Monmouth Comprehensive School from September 2020, having historically attended Caerleon since 1996.

Academic performance

There are 1,484 pupils on roll, of which 350 are

A-Level The A-Level (Advanced Level) is a subject-based qualification conferred as part of the General Certificate of Education, as well as a school leaving qualification offered by the educational bodies in the United Kingdom and the educational aut ...

students studying at the Sixth Form. The school was ranked by WalesOnline as 6th in Wales and 1st in the nearby area. According to a 2016 Estyn inspection, all students leaving at Key Stage 4 left with a recognized qualification. In 2019 two individuals were celebrated for achievements at the school. ICT teacher Phil Meredith was highlighted at the Professional Teaching Awards Cymru, and the school has seen wide success in STEM education, with a young student in 2019 winning an award at the

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''Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair'' in Birmingham.

Modern Foreign Languages

Caerleon has in recent years been covered by local media as it is now the only Newport state school offering German as a subject choice to students, amid cuts elsewhere to language education among UK schools. Its language teachers founded the South Wales-wide teachers network for language education in the region. The school also offers Welsh and French to Advanced Level study.

Sports

The school has traditionally produced a number of sporting names across a range of disciplines. The school has multiple rugby union, football, and netball sides, as well as offering tennis courts and basketball facilities for physical education lessons. The school is also near to the Celtic Manor operated Caerleon Golf Course and the full size cricket, football, and rugby facilities on the neighbouring Caerleon Pavilion. Names linked to Caerleon who have been successful in sporting endeavours include Dragons player and Ireland Under-20 Grand Slam winner James McCarthy, Dragons and Wales international

Tyler Morgan Tyler Morgan (born 11 September 1995) is a Welsh rugby union player for Biarritz Olympique in the Pro D2. Morgan's primary position is Outside Centre. On 26 December 2014, Morgan signed a National Dual Contract with the WRU and the Dragons. On ...

, and Wales Wales U20 capped Ashton Hewitt. Historic sportspeople who have attended the school include Wales, Chelsea F.C. and

Swansea City Swansea City Association Football Club (; cy, Clwb Pêl-droed Cymdeithas Dinas Abertawe) is a professional football club based in Swansea, Wales that plays in the Championship, the second tier of English football. Swansea have played their ho ...

goalkeeper

Roger Freestone Roger Freestone (born 19 August 1968) is a former Wales international goalkeeper. Club career Born in Caerleon, near Newport, Monmouthshire, Freestone began his career at Newport County as a trainee before moving to Chelsea in 1987 for £95,00 ...

, Cardiff City F.C. and Wales midfielder Nigel Vaughan, Wales rugby winger Nick Walne, and prop

Lyndon Mustoe Lyndon Mustoe (born 30 January 1969) was a Welsh rugby union prop who was selected for the Wales national team on ten occasions during the 1990s. Mustoe represented several Welsh club sides throughout his playing career, including Chepstow, New ...

. Others include Gary Hocking, a Grand Prix racing champion, as well as footballer and cricketer

Len Hill Lenard Winston Hill (14 April 1941 – 12 April 2007) was a Welsh sportsman, who played first-class cricket for Glamorgan, league football for Swansea Town and Newport County and was also a talented tennis player. It was mentioned that he ...

Finances

In June 2019, local press reported that issues had arisen at the school, with a £500,000 loan from Newport City Council due to be paid, and debts totalling £1.6m forecast for the next 18 months. Appointed auditors stated that financial practices at the school were "not well controlled" requiring urgent changes. However school reserves in 2016/17 were reported to finally be positive, having been in negative balance from 2012–2014. The school is set to receive investment from the £70m Welsh Government 21st Century School programme. Further investment in the school is also forecast upon the redevelopment of the former University of Wales, Newport campus which awaits planning permission.

Notable former pupils

* Nigel Vaughan, Wales international footballer * Nick Walne, Wales international rugby union player * Ashley Smith, Rhys Jenkins,

and Ashton Hewitt: Dragons rugby union players * Greg Pritchard,

countertenor A countertenor (also contra tenor) is a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range is equivalent to that of the female contralto or mezzo-soprano voice types, generally extending from around G3 to D5 or E5, although a sopranist (a s ...

and contestant and semi-finalist in the 2009 series of Britain's Got Talent.South Wales Argus Article, May 2009.
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Steve Lowndes Stephen Robert Lowndes (born 17 June 1960) is a former Wales international footballer. Lowndes started his career at Newport County during the most successful period in the club's long history. Lowndes was part of the team that won promotion fr ...

, Wales international footballer, former teacher * Rachel Rice, 2008

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winner. She also undertook teacher-training at the school, during the spring of 2008, prior to her appearance * Darragh Mortell, actor *

, Wales international rugby union player * Caroline Sheen, actor

References

External links

*
Real Schools Guide 2018 - Caerleon Comprehensive SchoolEstyn - Caerleon Comprehensive School
{{authority control Secondary schools in Newport, Wales Caerleon