Heolddu Comprehensive School

Background

The building itself was constructed in 1974. Its motto is "opportunity for all" and can be read on the school badge on the school uniform (in Welsh).

Notable former pupils

James Richard Mullett, 33-year-old singer (as of 2009), pianist and guitarist, better known as James Fox, attended the school as a teenager. He has since gone on to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. He still regularly returns to Heolddu, his last visit being as recent as March 2009, when he performed a song for a selection of pupils. The school proudly boasts a signed poster on its corridor wall, wishing the staff and pupils all the best.

Other Famous Visitors

In May 2009, Tom Daley, the 15-year-old Olympic diver, paid a visit to Heolddu to swim with selected pupils to promote the sport. The pupils were selected through the 'healthy eating' ladder, in which pupils gain points for purchases healthy meals. Following the spell in the leisure centre, he attended the schools canteen to also help encourage several pupils to eat healthier. A signed plaque is also on display in the corridors. Shortly after his visit, strong rumours began to escalate that the young talent was considering moving permanently to the school, after believed 'bullying' at his current school. However the rumours shortly died out and have since been forgotten.

Adam Jones, Welsh rugby player who plays for the Ospreys and the British and Irish Lions, annually attends the schools' celebration of achievement evening, presenting awards and GCSE certificates to successful candidates.

Results and success

Including a 100% pass rate at sixth form. In terms of GCSE pass rate, the school every year very closely competes with the likes of Blackwood Comprehensive, Lewis Boys of Pengam, and Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymney of Fleur De Lys, the four schools have very close pass rates on an average of 96-97%, with Heolddu showing their 100% A-G pass rate at GCSE.

With kick-boxing, karate, street dancing, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, ICT, revision clubs, music lessons, language classes, technology groups and traditional sporting fixtures there is little time for boredom at Heolddu. Recently the school secured county successes in a technology competition and the Young Consumers competition.

Charity

The school excels for charity causes, readily raising over £1000 for both Children in Need and Red Nose Day. For example, Children in Need 2009 saw the school raise a record breaking £1700. It annually holds many events for such causes, and is also a chance to get pupils out of the class for a fun-day, and increase awareness of the relevant issues.

Sports and Leisure Centre

Adjacent to the car park is an astroturf field, which is open for the school and public to play football on. It was built in the summer of 2006 and refurbished in the summer of 2008 after excessive vandalism.

The school's leisure centre is open, after school hours, to the general public. It has facilities to accommodate badminton, squash, netball and basketball, indoor football, gymnastics, circuit training, and a gym.

It also supplies a swimming where one can swim, and even do general water sports like polo and kayaking.

Finally, the school owns a rugby and football field, opposite the school's facade and over the road. These accommodate the school's teams, also used for physical education.

Current pupils Eve Jones and Courtney Greenway also play for Newport Gwent Dragons U-18s team and have also represented East Wales U-18s