Schools in Blackwood Gwent

[Tabbycat57]

Hi, w are moving from England to Blackwood Caerphilly. I have children in primary and soon to be secondary age, what are the good primary and secondary schools? Or the ones to avoid?!!!☺☺
Any help please? Thank you so much

I must say that Valleys Schools are not known for great academic results as the South Wales Valleys are known for high levels of social deprivation. There is also a not insignificant amount of Anti-English sentiment. In terms of schools the best of them are Welsh Medium such as Cwm Rhymney. Whats is your reason for moving to Blackwood?

Hi Antonia87,
Thank you so much for your reply.
Oh dear!! We are moving to Blackwood because of my husband's job. Welsh Medium would be hard as none of us speak Welsh! Thank you so much for your reply though. X

Are you able to move somewhere else like Cardiff or mid Wales and your husband could commute. Much more friendly to English people and better schools. More expensive housing obviously!

There are some village primaries near by that may appeal - Markham is close to Blackwood.

Are you moving to Blackwood or near by?

Lol. Blackwood isn't some rural backwater! It is a good sized town.
I know several people schooled there, none of whom know anymore Welsh than they learn in MFL (like I learned French when I was at secondary). I really don't think you need to be scared of moving there

Hiya, thank you everyone for your messages! Yes, it's Blackwood we are moving too as we are due to move in a few weeks! I'm not sure which primary schools to put as a preference (though I may get a big choice) and also wanted to know about the secondary schools. It's hard when you don't know the area at all! Thank you all for your messages. X

Look at the Estyn reports. They will give you a good idea. They are the Welsh version of Ofsted.

Don't be too scared lovely, some of the caves even have electricity these days and they have stopped using slates in most schools.
I left Gwent and went to live in England 40 years ago and that was the sort of nonsense I heard regularly.

I have been back for 25 years and, yes, this is an area of social deprivation due to the cuts of austerity and the legacy of the mines closing but it's not the surface of the Moon with no facilities etc.
The people are friendly, you will have to have a sense of humour around Rugby Internationals, but it's just like anywhere else really.
It's really beautiful if you like outdoor activities, walking cycling etc.
There are the normal classes for children, ballet, street dance, drama classes, gymnastics, etc etc
Cardiff and Newport are easily accessible if you want main stream theatre, music gigs etc
Blackwood Miners Institute has great comedy and drama productions, the Riverfront in Newport too.
It is a more insular community than I would like, I have been involved in anti-racist work since the referendum This is mostly through lack of exposure to a diversity of ethnicities than anything else, Asian people have tended to stay in Newport and Cardiff and refugees and asylum seekers are housed in the cities
However, plenty of opportunities to visit Cardiff and Newport for festivals etc I highly recommend Maindee Festival, it's great fun.
I don't live in Blackwood, though I know there is a new secondary school there. I will point friends there with school age children towards this thread.
Come down for a long weekend and stay over to have a look around.
Not with me, that would be weird but in a cottage so you get an idea for the area. I live on a Valley rail line into Cardiff and it's great.
And it's only £2.50/£3.50 a ticket in the Maxine cinema for all films!
Take that nay-sayers!

Antonia has portrayed a very negative image of Blackwood.
The people here are very friendly , even to (dare we say it?) English people 😂😂😂 it’s definitely not some backwards valley town that she’s thinking of.
The schools are very good, I know Blackwood Primary has had a very good Estyn report recently.
There are lots of fantastic schools around. There may not be an abundance of jobs in the town but links to Cardiff and Newport are very good and cheap!
I agree about the Maxime! A fantastic asset to Blackwood; £2.50 a film you can’t go wrong!

Thank you everyone for your messages, I really appreciate it! I'm very happy to hear Estyn report for Blackwood primary was good and thank you I will take a look at the others....and I love the idea of £2.50 cinema, bargain!! Thank you again all of you xx

On Facebook there is a page We Love Blackwood NP12- may be worth posting on there asking about schools?

Thank you snowysky20009!

My MIL lives in Argoed and is as English as they come. She is perfectly happy. Lived in South Wales for years with no issues. DH brought up in Cwmbran . Full of English people who work for the civil service.