The study of Welsh at St Thomas helps children develop their confidence and pride in using the Welsh language. Pupils learn to speak, listen, read and write in Welsh, exploring the rich culture, heritage and traditions of Wales along the way. Through songs, stories, conversation and creative activities, children discover that Welsh is a living language that connects them to their community and their country.

Through learning Welsh, children develop important skills such as communication, confidence, creativity and collaboration. They become more aware of Welsh culture and identity, gaining an appreciation of the language’s history and its role in modern Wales. This helps them grow into ambitious, capable learners who value bilingualism and understand the importance of language in shaping who we are.

Our Welsh Curriculum

Our Welsh curriculum is designed to make language learning enjoyable, meaningful and engaging for all learners.

In Progression Step 1, learning is active, playful and rooted in everyday experiences. Children build confidence in speaking and listening through songs, rhymes, stories, games and simple conversations. They begin to recognise familiar words and phrases, developing a positive attitude towards using Welsh in the classroom and beyond.

As children move into Progression Step 2, they expand their vocabulary and begin to read and write in Welsh with increasing independence. Pupils practise speaking in fuller sentences, take part in short conversations and explore Welsh stories and texts. They start to understand patterns in the language and use their skills across different areas of learning.

By Progression Step 3, learners are more confident and independent in their use of Welsh. They communicate ideas and opinions in greater detail, read a wider range of texts and write for different purposes and audiences. Pupils refine their pronunciation, accuracy and fluency, developing a deeper understanding of grammar and language structure.

Throughout all stages, our Welsh curriculum encourages confidence, pride and enjoyment in using the language, supporting children to become enthusiastic bilingual communicators who value and celebrate the culture and identity of Wales.