A programme to help support Welsh-speaking teachers to become secondary school teachers which has helped schools including Ysgol Bro Teifi in Llandysul is now open for applications.

The ‘Cynllun Pontio’ programme supports Welsh speakers who are currently teaching in primary schools in Wales, who teach outside Wales or teachers who have been out of the profession for five years or more who wish to rejoin the profession.

The programme provides participants with a salary whilst they complete their training to swich to become a secondary school teacher.

Since 2020 nearly 100 people have been supported through the scheme.

One school that has benefited from the scheme is Ysgol Bro Teifi.

Headteacher Gareth Evans said: “Cynllun Pontio has enabled us as a school to retrain primary teachers to develop their experience and confidence to teach in the secondary sector.

“During their experience, the teachers have benefited not only from the support of a mentor within the school, but also the support of a body of experienced staff.

“We are also pleased that some of them have been able to get jobs with us at the school.

“Others have secured jobs in other secondary schools meeting the scheme's aim of increasing the capacity of Welsh-medium teachers within the education system.

“This is undoubtedly a unique and effective programme.”

Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle said: "We want to support those who want to make the switch to secondary education or rejoin teaching, whilst also utilising their Welsh language skills.

“This programme provides a package of training and financial support to help people in their education career.

“The programme is helping develop a teaching workforce to deliver education through the medium of Welsh, which is essential in developing the Welsh skills of our learners.”

Applications close on Sunday, 22 February.