Cwmclydach Primary School has become the first school in Rhondda Cynon Taf to achieve Armed Forces Friendly Schools Cymru Gold Status from SSCE Cymru, recognising its outstanding support for Service children and their families.
The school previously secured Bronze Status in June 2022 and Silver Status in October 2023. After successfully retaining its Silver Status in May 2026, the school has now progressed to the highest level of recognition available through the SSCE Cymru programme.
Cwmclydach Primary is one of five schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf to receive Armed Forces Friendly Schools Cymru status and the tenth school in Wales to achieve Gold.
Supporting Service children and their families has been a key priority for the school for several years, with staff working to understand and respond to the unique experiences associated with military family life.
One recent example involved supporting a pupil returning to Wales after living in Cyprus for four years due to their father’s military posting. The family informed the school of their planned return more than a year in advance, allowing staff to develop a comprehensive transition programme.
During this period, the school maintained regular contact with the family and provided resources to help the pupil continue developing their Welsh language skills while overseas. Staff also prepared learning packs, organised transition activities and arranged opportunities for the pupil to reconnect with friends before returning to the school.
Following the pupil’s return, the school introduced a buddy system and Little Troopers activities, alongside targeted wellbeing support through Emotional Literacy Support Assistant sessions and dog therapy. Staff also worked closely with the family to help the pupil rebuild existing friendships, develop new relationships and settle back into school and local life.
This personalised approach forms part of wider support that is embedded throughout Cwmclydach Primary School. Service families are brought together through networking opportunities and participation in Armed Forces-related events, fostering a strong sense of belonging among families with similar experiences.
Service children are also encouraged to share and celebrate their experiences through Month of the Military Child activities and have represented the school at local Remembrance events for the past three years, strengthening the school’s connections with the wider Armed Forces community.
Targeted emotional and practical support is provided through the Little Troopers programme, delivered by trained Emotional Literacy Support Assistant staff. PERMA, Boxall and Thrive assessments also help the school to monitor pupils’ wellbeing and identify any additional support they may need.
Positive military role models and career pathways are also promoted across all year groups through the bilingual RoModels programme, with the school’s use of this resource recently featured in a RoModels video case study.
Crucially, the school’s commitment is embedded within its leadership and governance. A dedicated Service Families representative sits on the Governing Body, while governors receive termly reports on Service Children in Education provision and outcomes. Service children are also identified within the school’s management information system, allowing their needs, progress and wellbeing to be monitored on an ongoing basis.
Together, this work demonstrates the sustained, whole-school approach that has helped Cwmclydach Primary School achieve Gold Status.
Linsey Owens, Headteacher at Cwmclydach Primary School, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this recognition. Supporting our Service children and their families is something we are very proud of, and it is wonderful to see the commitment of our staff and school community acknowledged in this way.
“Achieving Gold Status reflects a whole-school commitment involving our staff, governors, pupils, families and external partners. We are particularly proud of the positive feedback we have received from families and the strong sense of community that exists for Service children within our school.
“From providing a warm, welcoming environment to ensuring every child feels seen, heard and valued, supporting Service children and their families is embedded in everything we do.
“Thank you to SSCE Cymru for the support and guidance provided throughout the process. We look forward to displaying our certificate, badge and trophy within our school, while continuing to strengthen our support for Service children and the wider Armed Forces community.”
Representatives at SSCE Cymru, said: “Cwmclydach Primary School is a huge advocate for Service children and their families. This commitment has now been further recognised through the achievement of the Gold Armed Forces Friendly School Cymru Status, celebrating the school's dedication to creating a welcoming, supportive and inclusive environment for Armed Forces pupils and their families.
“The status reflects the school's continued efforts to understand and respond to the unique experiences of Service children, ensuring they can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
“Congratulations to the staff, pupils and wider school community on this well-deserved recognition.”
Councillor Maureen Webber BEM, Deputy Leader for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Armed Forces Champion, said: “Achieving Gold Armed Forces Friendly Schools Cymru Status is a fantastic achievement for Cwmclydach Primary School and one that should make the whole school community extremely proud.
“Service children can experience unique challenges as part of military family life, particularly during periods of deployment, relocation and transition. The support provided by the school demonstrates a genuine commitment to ensuring that every child feels welcomed, supported and able to thrive.
“As Armed Forces Champion, I am delighted to see Cwmclydach Primary School become the first school in Rhondda Cynon Taf to achieve Gold Status. I congratulate its pupils, families, staff, governors, partners and everyone involved in securing this fantastic recognition.”
Supporting Service Children in Education (SSCE) Cymru is a Welsh Government funded programme, managed by the Welsh Local Government Association. SSCE Cymru works with all 22 local authorities across Wales to provide schools and other educational settings with a better understanding of how they can offer support to the children of Armed Forces personnel living in Wales. SSCE Cymru have created a variety of resources, training and funding, coordinated by a team who work with schools to achieve their Armed Forces Friendly Schools Cymru status to embed support for Service children in Wales.
The Armed Forces Friendly Schools Cymru programme supports schools to embed good practice, create positive environments in which Service children can share their experiences and strengthen engagement with the Armed Forces community.
Find out more: https://sscecymru.co.uk/
Posted on 14/10/2026