More students will soon have the chance to become fluent Welsh speakers.
Ysgol Bro Caereinion, an all-age school in Llanfair Caereinion, near Welshpool, will launch a Welsh‑medium ‘late immersion’ programme for Year 7 pupils starting in September.
The scheme is designed for learners who are either new to the Welsh language or have not attended Welsh‑medium primary education.
Anwen Orrells, headteacher, said: "Ysgol Bro Caereinion is extremely proud to be opening the door to the Welsh language, enabling pupils to live, learn and thrive as multilingual citizens.
"This provision sends a clear message that it is never too late to begin a bilingual journey."
The late immersion programme will be delivered by experienced teachers who specialise in introducing Welsh to beginners in an intensive and supportive way, with the aim of helping pupils become confident Welsh speakers in a relatively short time.
The scheme is part of Ysgol Bro Caereinion’s transition to becoming a Welsh‑medium school and supports Powys County Council’s wider ambitions to increase access to bilingual education.
Ms Orrells added: "We are committed to providing a supportive and aspirational environment where pupils feel confident to use Welsh and succeed academically.
"This is a historic step for our school, and we look forward to working closely with families to build a bilingual and multilingual future for our learners."
Bilingualism is linked to improved cognitive skills, better problem‑solving abilities, and broader career opportunities, in addition to strengthening cultural identity.
Powys County Council welcomed the development, describing it as a "significant and positive" step for education in the region.
Dr Richard Jones, director of education at Powys County Council, said: "This new late immersion provision at Ysgol Bro Caereinion represents a significant and positive development for education in north‑east Powys.
"By offering high‑quality support for learners who are new to Welsh at secondary transfer, we are widening access to Welsh‑medium education and ensuring that more young people can enjoy the lifelong benefits of bilingualism.
"This work aligns closely with our Welsh in Education Strategic Plan and our commitment to growing the number of confident Welsh speakers in the county."
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Applications are welcomed from pupils transferring into Year 7 in September 2026.
Parents and carers interested in the programme are encouraged to contact the school for further details.
More information on the application process is available at https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/1158/Applying-for-a-School-Place or by emailing admissions@powys.gov.uk.
Further details about Welsh‑medium education in Powys can be found at https://en.powys.gov.uk/destinationbilingual.
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