Ysgol Penybryn, Tywyn
Ysgol Penybryn is a primary school in Tywyn, Gwynedd.
General
The name 'Penybryn' means 'top of the hill' in Welsh and the school is located on slightly raised ground above the town's historic centre.
The school's catchment area (from September 2013) will include the town of Tywyn and the village of Aberdyfi; Ysgol Aberdyfi is due to close in August 2013. The school feeds the town's secondary school, Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn.
In 2010, AbOUT 11% of the pupils came from homes where Welsh was the main language. Both English and Welsh are used in the school, with the main language of instruction alternating weekly.
History
The school was founded in 1860 as the Towyn British School. The original building is now the northern block of the school, and the other main block was built in 1900. The house next to the school to the north was originally the Master's home.
During the 1860s, a 'Welsh stick' (a version of the Welsh Not) was used in the school to punish children who were caught speaking Welsh. Its use appears to have been ineffectual, however.