At Ysgol Afon Wen, we operate as a single school with pupils aged 3-11 and 11-16 on one site. Our core values are consistent throughout the school, fostering a unified environment. Our staff work as one cohesive team, sharing professional development and learning experiences with pupils across Activate, Advance and Achieve phases.

 

At Ysgol Afon Wen, we are committed to nurturing the potential within every pupil. Our Triple AAA Promise will inspire and ignite the learning spark by activating learning, advancing curiosity, and achieving success. Through this promise, we are dedicated to creating an environment where every pupil can flourish.

 

In the Activate Phase we aim to provide high quality education for all our children from Nursery through to Year 3 in a welcoming, secure and happy indoor and outdoor learning environment where children are encouraged to approach their educational opportunities with confidence and enjoyment. 

 

The children in the ACTIVATE phase are helped to reach standards at the highest level of their capability in literacy, numeracy and digital skills. We encourage the children to value themselves and each other and to develop positive attitudes of thoughtfulness, caring and sharing. We aim to develop pupils logical and creative thinking, curiosity and enthusiasm by encouraging them to be independent and confident learners

 

The early years of school life—Nursery to Year 3—are all about discovery, growth, and building the foundations for a lifelong love of learning. These formative years are crucial for developing not just academic skills, but also confidence, curiosity, and social-emotional wellbeing.

 

Nursery & Reception: Learning Through Play

 

Our youngest learners begin their journey in a nurturing, play-based environment designed to spark imagination and promote exploration.

 

• Nursery: Children develop early communication, physical, and social skills. They learn through songs, stories, outdoor play, and hands-on activities.

 

• Reception: The foundation of phonics, number sense, and structured routines begins here. Through guided play and more focused group work, children start to build early literacy and numeracy skills.

 

Years 1–3: Transitioning into Formal Learning

As children move into Key Stage 1 and early Key Stage 2, they experience a gradual shift toward more structured learning while still enjoying a creative and supportive environment.

 

• Year 1: A gentle introduction to formal lessons, especially in reading, writing, and maths. Children are encouraged to become more independent and confident learners.

 

• Year 2: Consolidation of key skills. This year includes the first set of national assessments (such as phonics screening or Welsh National Tests), helping to identify strengths and areas for support.

 

• Year 3: A big step up. Children begin to take more ownership of their work, explore subject-specific content in greater depth, and become more self-aware learners.

 

At Ysgol Afon Wen, we believe that education is a partnership between home and school. Children make the greatest progress when the two work together. We value the support you can give at home and welcome and encourage your help in school. It is important that good relationships, mutual understanding and trust and respect are the basis of our shared responsibility in the development of your child and in creating the whole ethos of the ACTIVATE phase. 

 

We hope that the children will take happy memories of their early years at school with them to the ADVANCE phase where they can continue to build on the foundations for a lifetime love of learning.