The Education Minister announced a new £200,000 programme allowing schools to ‘innovate’ at Heolddu Comprehensive School in Bargoed.
Huw Lewis AM visited the school on December 16 to announce the Pupil Offer, giving schools an “invitation to innovate” by working with organisations in sport, arts, science and heritage.
The WRU, Arts Council for Wales and National Museum are some of the 30 organisations that will participate in scheme, which is part of the Government’s Pathways to Success project.
Heolddu is a Pathways to Success school and has worked with Sport Wales to give pupils alternative education.
Mr Lewis said: “Wales has such a rich sporting and cultural heritage and well-respected organisations in these fields and others that have the potential to make a real impact in inspiring young people.
“We must encourage pupils to succeed by providing experiences that open their eyes to the opportunities that exist beyond the school gates, their homes and their local communities. This raising of personal expectations, aspirations and ambitions is an important aspect of Schools Challenge Cymru.
“By introducing the Pupil Offer’ at this stage in the programme, I am giving Pathways to Success schools an opportunity to experiment, in order to discover what best works for them, before consolidating their approaches in the following academic year. These are exciting times and I truly believe that young people will be inspired for life by this unique opportunity to broaden their learning horizons.”
Caerphilly County Borough councillor in charge of education, Rhianon Passmore, said: “I am thrilled that the minister decided to make his announcement at Heolddu Comprehensive. It was a fantastic opportunity for the school to showcase all they have to offer in particular their recent work with Sport Wales introducing literacy projects.”