Judith Hickey – Headteacher/Prifathrawes

I grew up in Glanrhyd and attended Ysgol Maesydderwen.  I then went to Cardiff University and studied a degree in Psychology and Education and following this undertook a PGCE.

I began my teaching career in Neath and spent 7 years in Rhydyfro before moving to Penrhos primary school to become the Deputy Headteacher and later the Headteacher of the school.

When Ysgol Golwg Y Cwm opened in 2012 I became the Headteacher and have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the family and community here. I have enjoyed the challenges that this has brought.

In my spare time I enjoy reading, watching sport and spending time with my lovely family and friends.

Tracey Havard – Deputy Headteacher/Dirprwy

I was born in Brecon and spent my childhood in the small village of Sennybridge where I attended the local school.  I went on to Secondary school and spent most of my time playing sports of all descriptions.

I attended UWIC where I undertook a degree in Education.  I began my teaching career in Penrhos Primary School.  I spent 5 years teaching in the Pre School Assessment Unit and also in the Infant department.

I have been teaching in Ysgol Golwg y Cwm since its opening in 2012, first of all as the ALNCO and now as the Deputy Headteacher.

Out of school, I enjoy spending time with my husband and 2 children on the family farm, we all enjoy being outdoors.  I especially love discovering new places with my lovely dog Maggie.  I also enjoy cooking and spending time with friends.

Hayley Bennett – SMT/Year 5&6 teacher

I was born and brought up in Gurnos and attended the local primary school. I went to Maesydderwen Comprehensive School then on to Swansea Institute of Art to study Ceramics Design. After marrying and having my family, I decided to return to University to train as a teacher and completed my B.A.(ED) Hons specialising in Design Technology. After graduating, my first teaching post was at Penrhos Primary school where I taught Year 2 and then taught in Year 6. My next teaching post was in Ysgol Golwg Y Cwm in the Year 5/6.

In my spare time I love to spend time with my family, going for long walks, reading and yoga.

Sarah Gerard – SMT/Reception Teacher

I grew up in Guilsfield, near Welshpool and knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a teacher. After completing a ‘BTEC National Diploma in Nursery Nursing’ in Coleg Powys, Newtown, I attended ‘Trinity College’, Carmarthen where I graduated with a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education in 1995.

I began my career working as a Nursery/ Reception Teacher at Penrhos School, where I also taught Years 2, 3 & 4. I transferred to Ysgol Golwg y Cwm when the cluster schools merged and have been in the Reception Class ever since.

In my free time I enjoy baking, swimming and walking.

Allison Griffiths – Year 2 & 3 teacher

I was born and brought up in the little village of Coelbren and I attended Maesydderwen Comprehensive School. I studied my A levels at Maesydderwen before going to Bath Spa University to study a BA Hons in Education & English Literature and then my PGCE.

When I qualified as a teacher in 2005, I did supply to start off with to gain more experience and then I was fortunate enough to get a post at Ysgol Cynlais. During my time at Ysgol Cynlais, I taught across both Key Stage 2 and Foundation Phase and whilst there, I did my training to become a Forest School Leader.

Ysgol Golwg Y Cwm opened its doors for the very first time in September 2012 and I have been part of this wonderful team since that day.  I started off here as a Year 1 teacher, then I taught Year 4/5 and now I teach Year 2/3.

In my spare time, I love spending time with my family and friends and my two daughters keep me super busy. I also enjoy reading, long walks and running.

Claire Bound – Year 3&4 teacher

I was born in Leigh-On-Sea in Essex and moved to Wales in 1989 after marrying a Welshman! I have always wanted to work with children and I began my career as a NNEB Nursery Nurse before completing my degree in Ancient History at the University of Wales, Swansea, and following it with a PGCE. I qualified as a teacher in 2005, and after a couple of years working as a supply teacher I joined the staff of Ysgol Cynlais in Ystradgynlais, where I taught until it closed. I joined the staff at Golwg Y Cwm when the school opened in 2012 and I love being part of such a vibrant and caring school.
Outside of school I love spending time with my family, including my husband (who also used to teach in GYC!) and my 2 grown-up children, Lowri and Aled. I love doing all kinds of crafts, reading, watching films, and I also enjoy walking.

Natalie Edwards – Year 2 teacher

Caroline Williams – Year 1 teacher

I was born I Ystalyfera and brought up in Glanrhyd.  I attended Maesydderwen Comprehensive School and then went to work in the family shop Geraghty’s Newsagent in Ystradgynlais until 2001. I, then, studied at Swansea Metropolitan University, where I gained a BA Hons Primary Education Degree with QTS.

When I qualified as a teacher in 2008, I did supply teaching for a short while before gaining my first post, a job-share as a year 3 teacher, in Key Stage 2 in Penrhos School.

In September 2012, I started working in our new school, Ysgol Golwg y Cwm, where I was the Year 3 teacher in Key Stage 2 and now, I am the Year 1 teacher in the Foundation Phase.

Currently, I am on a Welsh Sabbatical Diploma Course in Coleg y Ddrindod, Swansea, where I am learning to teach, Welsh, through the medium of Welsh.

In my spare time, I enjoy being with my family and love being with my granddaughter as often as possible. I am eagerly looking forward to the birth of my grandson at the end of July. To relax, I enjoy walking on the beach, gardening, crocheting, baking, candle-making, and reading.

Keri Harry – STF Teacher for older pupils

I grew up in Ystradgynlais and studied BSc Rural Environment in Trinity College Carmathen.  I then went on and completed my Post Graduate Certificate in Education. I began my teaching career in Ysgol y Bannau where I completed my Masters in Early Years Education, Diploma in Basic Skills and National Professional Qualification for Headteachers.

I joined Ysgol Golwg y Cwm in 2012 as the Pre-School Specialist Centre teacher before moving to the Key Stage 2 Specialist Teaching Facility. I am a THRIVE licensed practitioner and have a Trauma Informed Schools Diploma.   I have recently completed a Diploma in Social Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties with Birmingham University. Outside of School I enjoy spending time with my family.  I love watching my daughter play hockey, netball and cricket.  We enjoy travelling in our camper van in the holidays and sometimes on weekends!

Elizabeth Miller – STF Teacher for younger pupils

I grew up in Ystradgynlais and I have lived here all of my life.  I went to Maesydderwen Comprehensive school then on to Trinity college Carmarthen to complete a 4 year B.Ed Hons in Primary Education.

My first teaching post was in Maesmarchog Primary school where I taught children with additional learning needs and autism, I stayed there for 10 years. During my time in Maesmarchog I completed a part time post graduated certificate in teaching children with autistism. In 2009 I became ALNCO and year 4 and 5 teacher at Caegarw primary, teaching there until 2017 before moving to Golwg y Cwm primary school where I teach children in the foundation phase specialist teaching facility. During the last year I have been given the opportunity to study a diploma in Trauma Informed Schools and a post graduate diploma in inclusion through Birmingham university. In my spare time I love to spend time with my family and going for walks with my lovely but very loud dog called Lola

Joanne Wozencroft – Pre School Specialist Centre Leader

I was brought up in the village of Penrhos. I attended Maesydderwen Comprehensive School. I studied my Nursery Nursing (NNEB)  at Brecon College before going to Swansea University as a mature student to study a Foundation Degree in Supporting Children’s learning.

I was fortunate enough to get a post at Ysgol Penrhos as a Learning Support Assistant, I have supported many children with additional learning needs during this time.  Following on I then went on to work in Early Years setting at ‘Bizzy Bees’ as the Preschool Leader.

Ysgol Golwg Y Cwm opened its doors for the very first time in September 2012 and I have been part of this amazing team ever since.  I started off as a Flying Start Leader and now run the Preschool Specialist Centre.

In my spare time, I love spending time with my family and friends. I have a wonderful daughter who keeps me busy. I also enjoy dancing, makeup and shopping.