Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth

This school doesn't give an ounce of respect for children's mental health.

I do not recommend going to this school. Their teachers are terrible, they talk the whole lesson and never accomplish what they were meant to teach. Mental health is something I've been struggling for year with ever since I joined the school. I was a happy child who turned into a sad child. School counselling is an option but the waiting list is incredibly long. 3 and a half months I've been waiting on that list and still haven't been able to see one. I feel let down and unable to speak to the support teachers about it. They make me feel intimidated. I once asked to go to Hafan which is a quiet place you can go, I was allowed but when I got home I was angry. My mum had told my that the teacher phoned her to say I missed a lesson because I didn't want to do PE. That is not the truth, I was struggling and on the edge of crying. I even cried to the support teacher showing how much I was struggling but obviously they don't care. They lack sympathy and understanding of a student which should be something they are taught in their trainings. The academic side is okay, not good but decent. They give us booklets with the information you need but when it comes to explaining it's like they have no idea what they're saying. They should try and make lessons as enjoyable as possible while learning the key information. The expectations in this school is unreal, the teachers give students punishments for not having a full complete uniform. Yes you want to look smart but they don't think about families out there who don't have the money. There are families who can hardly afford food let alone uniform. Another problem is homework. I know many people who have to work at a young age to be able to help their parents with the bills. It's unfair on them that they are punished for this. The school needs to start supporting families like this and start understanding different circumstances. Personal development is something that is way off the goal we should be achieving. Instead of growing confidence you lose it, the teachers really just stand there and tell you that you have to do blah blah blah otherwise you will fail and not get a job. They tell you their life is hard and ours is easy but that's completely wrong. Some reasons I have already discussed but our welfare is a large issue with this matter. We are pushed down and are made to feel like we are nothing, we are failing ourselves and our families. We are disappointed and that's where it can lead you into a deep hole and often lead to suicidal thoughts. We just want you to be there for us and support us through our academic life. That is what you're supposed to do.

The bullying at this school is attrocious and they do nothing about it for instance my little girl came home the other day after being hit and said the teachers did nothing about it.

Teachers held no regard over the students welfare.
Ensuring homework was completed and top button buttoned up was far more important than questioning behavioural issues. Teachers were aware of home trouble but thought it best to punish challenging behaviour then actually talking about it. Teachers openly talked about who their favourite students were and reacted accordingly.
Teachers have been caught out lying to parents about situations that has risen within school. Placing all blame on students leading to parents playing the guessing game. Those teachers lack the basic understanding that this could lead to family breakdown, though they clearly did not care.
They had no true understanding of mental health or empathy towards mental health and how to fulfil the job role of an understanding role model.
I have personally had a teacher tell me in front of class that my life will not amount to anything.
This school let me down over my teenage years, I do not look back with joy, I look back with disappointment.
At a time with bullying, mental health and suicide is at its highest we need a school who supports its students. This school isn't it.
I'm not saying I was a perfect student, by all means. But me and many other former and current students who considered this school their safe space was/are truly let down.

Really disappointing student welfare. Would rather a child have a breakdown in the corridor while yelling at them to calm down rather than risk letting the school's average attendance slip.

You'd get in trouble and be shouted at if you didn't pray or sing Christian songs during assembly, no matter your own religion.

If you're poorer and can't afford a lot of the uniform, you'd probably just get detention and/or bullied by everyone (students and some teachers).

Horrible school! Don't sense anybody to this school