Welcoming Luis Gardner back to Ysgol Dinas Brân before the under 19s Euros!

We were delighted to welcome back former YDB pupil Luis Gardner for a special Q&A session with our boys’ and girls’ football teams.

Luis shared his journey from his time as a pupil at YDB to representing Everton FC and earning international honours with Wales U19s. Our students gained a fascinating insight into the dedication, hard work and resilience required to succeed at the highest level of the game.

With the upcoming UEFA U19 European Championships on the horizon, it was fantastic for our young footballers to hear first-hand about Luis’ experiences and ambitions for the future.

Luis is a true inspiration to our students and the wider YDB community. We are incredibly proud of everything he has achieved so far and look forward to following his continued success.

A huge thank you to Luis for giving up his time to speak with our students and answer their questions so openly and honestly.

Good luck at the Euros, Luis — everyone at YDB is behind you!

If you'd like to see Luis and the rest of the Wales team in the UEFA under 19 Championships between 28 June and 11 July, you can grab your tickets on the FAW’s ticketing website 👉 https://tinyurl.com/3v6fm7yw

Sector leading politics at Ysgol Dinas Brân, Llangollen

We have always valued the student voice at Ysgol Dinas Brân (YDB), with a multi award-winning Student Council and Eco Council at the centre of our efforts to empower our students to become confident future leaders when they leave education. We have made sure that the student council has had its voice heard, with students sitting on our board of governors and also being involved in Denbighshire County Council forums.

Rocio Cifuentes the Children’s Commissioner for Wales recognised the active nature of our student voice through our use of digital questionnaires and then she visited YDB presenting to our students in an assembly. The Children’s Commissioner for Wales then sat down with our student council members to get their views on the issues facing young people in Wales and what they think government can do to help support young people to help them achieve their potential.

We have worked closely with the Politics Project to produce an outstanding programme which has given year 12 students a virtual question time with Darren Millar Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and the Year 13s interviewed Rhun Ap Iorweth Leader of Plaid Cymru and now Wales First Minister. We have also welcomed visits from former First Minister Mark Drakeford, Llr Gruffyrdd and Ken Skates for issues relating to youth transport and Cymraeg.

Ysgol Dinas Brân staff and students organised a Hustings Event before Easter with 6 candidates standing in the Senedd election from a range of parties for a two-hour question time for our year 11,12 and 13 students including help with voter registration. Questions were formed by the student body, and the event was run by a dedicated team comprising of staff, year 12 History students and members of the student council.

The year 7 students have as part of their history project on the role of the Senedd have conducted a class election by created their own parties with logo’s, names and a manifesto and then they voted and elected their part of choice.

It has been another exciting year for the YDB student voice with a huge range of outstanding opportunities and real-world experiences! Da Iawn YDB!

Ysgol Dinas Brân Prom 2026

Ysgol Dinas Brân's class of 2026 celebrated their prom recently and their Head of Year, Mr Sinclair, Assistant Head of Year, Miss Hughes and all the school staff paid tribute to them.

"What an unforgettable evening for our Year 11 students. From the stunning outfits to the incredible atmosphere, our pupils truly made it a night to remember.

"We are so proud of the maturity, kindness, and spirit they showed throughout the evening. As they move on to their next chapter, we wish them every success — they deserve it.

"Thank you to the staff, families, and venue team who helped make the night so special".

New kits for Ysgol Bro Dyfrdwy!

Here are Ysgol Bro Dyfrdwy pupils looking very smart in their new football and rugby kits!

Mr Arwel Lloyd Owen, Headteacher at Ysgol Bro Dyfrdwy said, "I'd like to thank Coed y Dyffryn Ltd and the Blue Lion in Cynwyd for sponsoring - the pupils are delighted with the new kits."

Gold Cymraeg Campus Award

During the Spring term Ysgol Cefn Meiriadog were awarded the Gold Cymraeg Campus Award, making them only the second school in Denbighshire to achieve the award.

The Cymraeg Campus award is a Welsh language initiative designed for schools to promote the Welsh language and cultivate a strong Welsh ethos in everyday life. This award is a fantastic achievement for Ysgol Cefn Meiriadog and is testament to the hard work and commitment of the staff and learners to promote the Welsh language and culture across the school. During the Spring term the school were joined by members of the Governing Body and Denbighshire County Council for a celebration assembly which was delivered by members of the Criw Cymraeg. The school’s Criw Cymraeg helps lead the school’s efforts by organising weekly assemblies, leading playground games recognising pupils who try hard to speak Welsh and promoting the Welsh language throughout the school day.

Headteacher Laura Martin said: "This award is testament to the hard work of the whole school community, led by Mrs Pitt-Lacey and our excellent Criw.

"As a school we work really hard to promote the Welsh language and culture and are delighted that this has been recognised. I am incredibly proud of the effort and commitment of all involved and am delighted to have received gold."

Chair of Governors, Shannon Gage says "On behalf of the entire Governing Body, I want to extend our warmest congratulations to the school on achieving the Gold Cymraeg Campus Award. This award is a reflection of the dedication and hard work demonstrated by our whole school community and highlights our unwavering commitment to developing the Welsh language and culture at Ysgol Cefn Meiriadog. We are immensely proud of this achievement and look forward to building upon this success over the coming years."

Well done Mason from St Brigid's School!

Mason Green, (pictured right below) a St. Brigid’s School Denbigh student, took part in the first round of the British Tractor Pullers Association championship event on 9th and 10th May in Scorton Showground in Lancashire.

Competitors from all over the UK assembled with their modified tractors to enter this high-octane festival of horsepower. Entrants compete in a league format at events around the UK throughout the summer months. The competition uses tuned-up tractors to pull a weight transfer sledge along a 100m track. Mason entered the 500kg Garden Modified Class, where he and his team, having added a motorbike engine, a lot of ballast, roll cages and an awesome paint job, to a standard ride-on lawnmower.

In the race, Mason guns it down the track as 500kg is gradually added to the tractors load until the tractor can’t pull any more. He said of his run “I would have gone further on the second run, but I could feel the turbo shaking and the last thing you want when you’re giving it welly is to blow a turbo”. Wise words indeed. Points are awarded based on distance travelled over 2 runs against a field of 12 at this event. Mason finished 3rd overall, in this first event of the year, collecting 27 league points in the process. He and his team are working on squeezing a few more horsepower out of that engine in preparation for the next event in Aberdeenshire in June. Mason finished in 2nd place overall in last year’s competition, but he is aiming to go one better this year. We’ll be keeping a close eye on his progress here at St. Brigid’s. 

Mrs Leah Crimes, Headteacher of St Brigid's School said“ We are incredibly proud of Mason and his achievements in such a demanding and unique sport. His dedication, teamwork and passion are a fantastic reflection of the values we celebrate here at St. Brigid’s. To see him compete at a national level and secure such an impressive result at the start of the season is truly inspiring. We wish Mason every success as he continues his championship journey.”

St Brigid's School Combined Cadet Force

The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is an extra-curricular activity provided within St Bridgid's School in Denbigh which aims to help develop individuals to become better members of society when the students eventually leave school.

This academic year has seen the CCF support several high-profile events. 12 cadets and 2 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs), went to the Festival of Remembrance Service at the Royal Albert Hall and Cadet Flight Sergeant Alannah Davies was privileged to carry the National CCF Standard. The following morning saw the cadets and CFAVs parade alongside serving service personnel and veterans in the march past the Cenotaph in London in front of HM the King.

In February this year St Brigid’s CCF were invited to provide 12 cadets to support the Maundy Money service in St Asaph Cathedral where his Majesty the king presented Maundy Money to 154 recipients, 77 Men and 77 Women representing the Kings age. The cadets as members of St Brigid’s school and the CCF were a credit to both the school and the cadet organisation attracting the following comments from Colonel Edwyn Launders, Controller, Lord Chamberlain’s Office to thank the cadets for, “So brilliantly supporting the Royal Maundy Service at St Asaph Cathedral  on Thursday  2nd April. We could not have hoped for a smarter, more professional and efficient group of young people to help us look after all the guests.”

The CCF gives young people the opportunity to develop life skills, increase independence and build confidence participating in things like the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, taking to the skies and experiencing flying or supporting events like the ones highlighted above, giving opportunities to young people they might not otherwise have.

Ysgol y Gwernant success in the Siarter Iaith Quiz!

Congratulations to the Year 5 and 6 pupils for coming joint first in the final round of the Language Charter Quiz.

The school is extremely proud of their success and their dedication to the Welsh language.