Pontarddulais is focused on maximising our pupils' potential. We believe that striving towards excellence can only be achieved when pupils, parents and staff work in harmony. I am convinced that we share the same aspirations for our young people - to be happy, safe and successful. The exceptional pupil results at key stage 3 and 4 illustrate the school's determination to constantly improve standards of attainment for every child. We achieve this by providing high quality teaching and a range of learning opportunities. Those learning opportunities also impact on pupils' achievements, which are celebrated through charity work, school productions, sport, drama and musical events. I hope you will take every opportunity to attend the school to support the girls and boys in the activities they participate in. The school is justifiably proud of its reputation for the care we provide, both in terms of welfare and educational provision. We work on the premise that each and every pupil is entitled to the highest quality educational experience that we can provide.

The School A purpose-built comprehensive school serving pupils in the communities of Pontarddulais, Grovesend, Llangyfelach, Penllergaer and Pontlliw. There is a healthy interest in the school and each year a significant number of preferred placement applications are received from areas of City and County of Swansea and Carmarthenshire. Our geographical position protects the school to an extent from the worst ravages of open enrolment and parental choice. The LEA provides transport for a substantial number of pupils. The school opened in September 1982 in new buildings which were phased-in over a 12 month period on a semi rural site within the community of Pontarddulais. An additional four-classroom block was opened in 1998 to accommodate catchment area growth. A Special Teaching Facility for up to 12 pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties opened in January 2007 and is now an integral feature of the school. In recent years significant new housing developments have been established in the catchment area and our partner primary schools, like ourselves, are experiencing classroom accommodation pressure. The buildings are available to pupils at breaks and lunchtime who are given the freedom to behave responsibly. The incidence of vandalism or graffiti is negligible. Classrooms are well equipped with interactive whiteboards in every Area. The school has invested heavily in ICT in recent years giving pupils the best access possible to the latest technologies. As far as practicable, teachers are based in one area in order to allow maximum access to specialist equipment and learning resources. A Community Leisure Centre operates during the evenings, at weekends and during school holiday periods. School Catchment and Enrolment Pontarddulais is an established community, which grew alongside the local tinplate and coal mining industries. All the mines have now closed and only a small manufacturing base remains. Employment within Pontarddulais is largely in the service sector and located on a small industrial estate. The majority of economically active people travel out of the community for their employment. The socio-economic context of the school is varied. There are areas of expensive private housing, new estates, older traditional housing and local authority housing. The school has a truly comprehensive intake both in terms of background and ability of its pupils. However, there is a universal valuing of education and support for the school.