Ysgol Brynrefail is a bilingual comprehensive school for pupils aged 11–18. It is situated in

Llanrug Llanrug (or Llanfihangel-yn-y-grug) is a medium-sized village and community (Wales), community in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. It lies about to the east of Caernarfon, south of Bangor, Gwynedd, Bangor and northwest of Llanberis. It is the larg ...

Gwynedd Gwynedd () is a county in the north-west of Wales. It borders Anglesey across the Menai Strait to the north, Conwy, Denbighshire, and Powys to the east, Ceredigion over the Dyfi estuary to the south, and the Irish Sea to the west. The ci ...

north Wales North Wales ( ) is a Regions of Wales, region of Wales, encompassing its northernmost areas. It borders mid Wales to the south, England to the east, and the Irish Sea to the north and west. The area is highly mountainous and rural, with Snowdon ...

. Most of the school's pupils come from the villages of

Bethel Bethel (, "House of El" or "House of God",Bleeker and Widegren, 1988, p. 257. also transliterated ''Beth El'', ''Beth-El'', ''Beit El''; ; ) was an ancient Israelite city and sacred space that is frequently mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Bet ...

Llanberis Llanberis () is a village, community (Wales), community and electoral ward in Gwynedd, northwest Wales, on the southern bank of the lake and at the foot of Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales. It is a centre for outdoor activity, outdoor ac ...

and the surrounding rural areas. As of 2023, there were about 789 pupils on roll at the school. Its current headmaster is Mr Arwyn Williams.

Welsh language

Ysgol Brynrefail is categorised linguistically by the

Welsh Government The Welsh Government ( ) is the Executive (government), executive arm of the Welsh devolution, devolved government of Wales. The government consists of Cabinet secretary, cabinet secretaries and Minister of State, ministers. It is led by the F ...

as a category 2A school, meaning that at least 80 per cent of subjects apart from English and Welsh are taught only through the medium of Welsh to all pupils. However, one or two subjects are taught to some pupils in English or in both languages. According to the school's latest

Estyn Estyn is the education and training inspectorate for Wales. Its name comes from the Welsh language verb meaning 'to reach (out), stretch or extend'. Its function is to provide an independent inspection and advice service on quality and stand ...

inspection report in 2020, 86% of pupils come from Welsh-speaking homes and 98% are fluent Welsh speakers.

Notable alumni

* Malcolm Allen (footballer) * Y Bandana - Band * David Brailsford - British Cycling Performance Director *

Derwyddon Dr Gonzo Derwyddon Dr Gonzo were a Welsh-language funk and ska band from Llanrug, North Wales. Having reached number one in Siart C2 (radio), C2 (Welsh Language Music Chart), their music has received airplay on BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 1 and Serbian ra ...

- Band * T. Rowland Hughes - Welsh Language Poet, Dramatist and Author * Gwenlyn Parry - Welsh Dramatist *

T.H. Parry-Williams Sir Thomas Herbert Parry-Williams (21 September 1887 – 3 March 1975) was a Welsh poet, author and academic. Parry-Williams was born at Tŷ'r Ysgol ('the Schoolhouse') in Rhyd Ddu, Caernarfonshire, Wales. He was educated at the University Co ...

- Welsh Language Poet and Author * Rhun Williams - Rugby Player * Eurig Wyn - Welsh Satirical Novelist

References

{{authority control Secondary schools in Gwynedd Educational institutions established in 1900 Llanrug 1900 establishments in Wales