Welcome Message

Welcome

The Siarter Iaith’s main aim is to encourage us all to speak more Welsh every day.
We want children to use Welsh naturally everywhere — in school, at home, and in the wider community.

This is a shared journey, and everyone has a part to play: pupils, teachers, parents, governors, and the community.

We want everyone to enjoy speaking Welsh.
We want everyone to feel proud of the Welsh language and the Language Charter.
We want everyone to work together to promote the use of Welsh.
We want everyone to celebrate success — big or small — whether at an individual, class, school, or community level.

In primary schools, the Criw Cymraeg lead the way, while in secondary schools the Language Forums play a key role in keeping these values alive

Who’s who?

In Gwynedd, two Coordinators lead the work of promoting and supporting the Language Charter. One works closely with primary schools, while the other focuses on secondary schools.

We’re also fortunate to have dedicated Language Coordinators in every catchment area. They play a vital role in guiding and supporting schools in bringing the Charter to life.

Altogether, Gwynedd has 13 Language Coordinators.

Here are the details of our Primary and Secondary Language Charter Coordinators:

Primary: HelenLloydWilliams@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

Secondary: SianParryEirug@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

The Siarter Iaith Framework can be found on Hwb and on Welsh Government’s website.

Guidelines for Schools:

Within the Framework, there is a detailed outline of the guidelines, explaining how schools should go about implementing the Framework

Here’s a short summary!

Every school will begin by completing the Siarter Iaith Questionnaire (Gwe Iaith), which is available on HwB, at the start of a new school term in September, with pupils from years 2 through to year 11. The results will set a baseline for the school, highlighting specific areas to focus on for the year ahead.

Then, in the summer term, the school will once again complete the Siarter Iaith Questionnaire (Gwe Iaith)Language Web). This will allow schools to compare the results with the previous results, and evaluate their efforts during the year in promoting the goals of the Siarter Iaith.

Schools can also apply for one of three Siarter Iaith awards – Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award. More details are on the next page!

BRONZE, SILVER AND GOLD AWARD – WHAT ARE THEY?

BRONZE AWARD

Almost everyone in the school community understands the objectives and is aware of the vision of the Siarter Iaith.
The school has built a strong foundation and mechanism for implementing the Siarter that involves stakeholders across the school community.
The school has formulated a suitable action plan and is beginning to see the impact of the implementation of the objectives.
The school has completed the Siarter Iaith questionnaires to ascertain learners' linguistic use.
Learners are beginning to consider what activities the school can undertake to increase the use of Welsh.
Learners show a sense of pride in their Welsh identity and have gained a passion for the language.
The school is beginning to recognise how the programme will have a positive impact on learners' linguistic use.

SILVER AWARD

Almost everyone within the school community understands why the Siarter is being implemented.
The school has built a strong foundation and mechanism for implementing the Siarter that involves stakeholders across the school community.
The whole staff is involved in the planning, implementation and monitoring and see the impact of the implementation in the objectives.
The school community is able to plan suitable actions in response to the results of the questionnaires and is able to measure the success and progress of these actions.
Learners, with support, successfully lead actions.
Almost everyone in the school community has developed a sense of pride in their Welsh identity and gained a passion for the language.
Actions are starting to have an impact on learners' leisure time, e.g. choice of apps, TV, sport, and social activities etc.
There is a Welsh and Welsh language ethos within the school.

GOLD AWARD

The whole school community are ambassadors for the Welsh language and its use and successfully promote the aims of the Siarter Iaith to make the school's vision a reality.
All staff are involved in the planning, implementation and monitoring and sees the impact of the implementation in the objectives. All school stakeholders are instrumental in planning, implementing and monitoring the Siarter Iaith and see the impact of the implementation in the objectives.
Almost all staff are able to successfully measure success and progress and take the necessary steps to make the vision a reality.
Learners successfully support their peers by leading a wide range of initiatives.
Everyone in the school community has developed a sense of pride in their Welsh identity and gained a passion for the language.
There is a strong Welsh and Welsh ethos within the school.

Applying for an Award: how?

Contact the Siarter Iaith Coordinators (primary and/or secondary) to indicate that you wish to apply for one of the awards.

What next?

Schools will have the opportunity to receive a pre-validation visit from one of the Siarter Iaith Co-ordinators.

If applying for an award, the school will submit an action plan and a self-assessment to the Siarter Iaith Co-ordinator. A school visit will then be arranged, providing time for a conversation with the Headteacher, the staff member responsible for the Siarter Iaith, a Governor, and a group of pupils who have led the work.

The validation visit will last approximately two and a half hours. There will be an opportunity to discuss the visit arrangements in advance with the Coordinator. The award decision is usually shared on the same day as the validation visit.

Awarded Gold? What next?

If a school achieves Gold Award, the status will remain valid for three years, when a re-assessment takes place.