ST FRANCIS School in Milford Haven has become the first school in Wales to claim gold in the Cymraeg Campus Language Charter for developing Welsh.

The charter was created by ERW Welsh in Education officers and is the first charter specifically created to develop Welsh in English medium schools.

The school began working towards the language charter in January 2016 and swiftly won the bronze and silver awards, having worked enthusiastically to complete the targets within the charter.

Year 6 Cyngor Cymraeg member Lexi said: “We are all very proud of winning the gold award.

"We now love speaking Welsh together and are proud of how we’ve developed Welsh at our school since winning the bronze award.”

Welsh advisory teacher and co-author of the charter, Catrin Phillips, said: “I would like to congratulate the whole team at St Francis for fostering a love of the Welsh language amongst the pupils and the wider school community.

“Welsh has become a natural part of daily life at the school. The staff, assisted enthusiastically by pupils of the Cyngor Cymraeg have succeeded in creating an ethos where pupils are confident and proud to use their Welsh skills.”

Deputy headteacher, Sarah Mansfield, said: “The award is recognition of years of hard work. The staff have worked tirelessly to ensure the best provision possible.

"The pupils’ love of the language, and enthusiasm for all things Welsh, is contagious.”

The whole school community at St Francis has embraced the development of Welsh in daily life and across all areas of learning.

Pupils’ of the Cyngor Cymraeg are passionate about creating plentiful opportunities for their peers to use Welsh in fun and engaging activities.

The school promotes the benefits of learning Welsh and is succeeding in creating proud, bilingual learners.