Welcome to Builth Wells High School

Our aim is to provide the opportunity for each pupil to develop and to achieve his or her potential according to ability and aptitude and to become confident lifelong learners. We believe that the key to our success is the special, caring atmosphere that is created by the hard work and total commitment of everyone associated with the school. We our very proud of our reputation as a thriving, successful and happy bilingual comprehensive.

We encourage pupils to foster tolerance and respect for others with differing views and attitudes so that they can take their place responsibly in society. The strong and supportive links that exist between the school and pupils’ homes and the communities in which they live are very important to us. We believe that the school lies at the heart of the community and people from all walks of life visit the school and contribute to the education that we provide. The Inspection report states that “Builth consistently promotes and achieves high standards in academic, pastoral and extracurricular activities and because of its very many significant strengths, justifiably enjoys the total confidence of its community.” Many visitors comment on the special atmosphere that they feel as soon as they enter the school.

We offer a stimulating and enriching curriculum and a wide range of English and Welsh Medium courses are available up to 'A' Level. A broad education is provided up to the age of sixteen, in which academic, social and vocational elements help to develop the whole person. Post sixteen, the courses become more specialised. We are pleased to offer the Welsh Baccalaureate at Intermediate and Advanced Levels.

Our consistently high examination results are the product of excellent teaching, motivated pupils and good resources. We are committed to improving the facilities and the impressive new building houses a new kitchen, a restaurant, music and art rooms, an IT room and 6 classrooms for the teaching of Welsh. In addition, further refurbishment has taken place in the existing Library, Science and Humanities suites. Each year we spend a significant amount of money upgrading the IT facilities so that the pupils can benefit from the best technology. We are grateful to the Friends of the School who play an invaluable part in enabling this. The fund raising recently has enabled us to purchase a laser cutter for the Technology Department, music technology equipment for the new A Level in Music Technology, and equipment for the new BTEC Hospitality and Catering, taught in the newly refurbished Food Technology room.

The life of the school is varied and many extra-curricular activities are available. The opportunity to travel abroad is a prominent characteristic of the school with exchange visits to such places as Australia, USA, Europe and Patagonia. A successful sports tour to Australia took place in September 2008. We believe that extra curricular activities enrich a pupil's experience and contribute to the learning process, building self confidence.

The transition from primary school to Builth Wells High School is made much smoother because of the frequent visits made to each school by pupils and teachers. Primary pupils visit us on a number of occasions throughout the year for a taste of our music, drama and art provision and to use our IT facilities. Our pupils are encouraged to be charitable and each year significant sums of money are raised to support charities nominated by pupils.

I look forward to meeting you and working with you in the near future.
Mrs Shân E Davies (Headteacher)