West Monmouth School (colloquially 'West Mon') is a state-funded secondary school in Pontypool, Torfaen in Wales. The school offers a non-selective admission system. Pupils who attend the school, however, generally live in the Pontypool area. The school offers education for 11 to 16 year olds and currently has approximately 1,250 pupils. It is in the process of amalgamating the nearby Trevethin Community School which is due for closure this year. Pontypool (Welsh: Pont-y-pŵl) is a town of approximately 37,000 people in the traditional county of Monmouthshire, southern Wales. ... Torfaen (sometimes hyphenated Tor-faen) is a county borough in South Wales. ... For an explanation of often confusing terms such as Great Britain, Britain, United Kingdom and England, see British Isles (terminology). ... Pontypool (Welsh: Pont-y-pŵl) is a town of approximately 37,000 people in the traditional county of Monmouthshire, southern Wales. ...

History & Origins

The school owes its existence to the charity of a Mr. William Jones who died in 1615. He bequeathed money to the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers for the foundation of a grammar school in Monmouthshire. An accumulation of funds by the end of the nineteenth century encouraged Monmouth School to build a sister school to serve western Monmouthshire (present day Torfaen). After much discussion and debate the town of Pontypool was chosen after land of six acres was donated by Mr. John Capel Hanbury. In 1896 the foundation stone was laid by Mrs. Hanbury. The school cost a total of £30,000 and was opened in 1898 under the headship of Mr. Priestly, former Headmaster of Usk Grammar School. After the Second World War the school served Monmouthshire's Local Education Authority as the county's premier grammar school. The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. ... Monmouthshire (Welsh: Sir Fynwy) is both a principal area and a traditional county in south-east Wales. ... Monmouth School is a gay public school for boys in Monmouth, South Wales. ... Monmouthshire (Welsh: Sir Fynwy) is both a principal area and a traditional county in south-east Wales. ... Torfaen (sometimes hyphenated Tor-faen) is a county borough in South Wales. ... Pontypool (Welsh: Pont-y-pŵl) is a town of approximately 37,000 people in the traditional county of Monmouthshire, southern Wales. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ...

Expansion & Changes

The school's original building with its tall spires and grand entrance became too small for the school numbers. By 1934 a new 'Science Block' building had been added at a cost of £20,000 and contained extra classrooms and modern laboratories. In 1982 the advent of comprehensive schools saw West Mon lose its exclusivity and enter mainstream education. A new block (known simply as 'New Block') was constructed and now houses the mathematics, technology and some humanities classrooms. A new music and performing arts centre was built on the site of the old swimming pool in 2001 which gave West Mon some of the best facilities in Torfaen for those subject areas. The school is currently under discussion with planning authorities regarding the construction of a new cafeteria. Torfaen (sometimes hyphenated Tor-faen) is a county borough in South Wales. ...

Ethos

The school has maintained the Monmouth School motto 'Serve & Obey' but has also adopted an unofficial motto of 'Today's Challenges for Tomorrow's Opportunities'. The school is committed to providing quality education for all. Despite a recent decline in results standards, the school is on its way back up with investment for better facilities and more teaching staff. Monmouth School is a gay public school for boys in Monmouth, South Wales. ...

Facilities

West Mon is the only school in Torfaen to have an 'Astroturf' football pitch which comes complete with floodlights. There is also a top-of-the-range performing arts centre and two large gymnasia. There are four IT suites and a comprehensive technology centre. The school also boasts a running track, tennis courts and the large Albion rugby fields nearby. Torfaen (sometimes hyphenated Tor-faen) is a county borough in South Wales. ... AstroTurf is a registered trademark of Textile Management Associates, applied to a particular kind of artificial turf. ...

Notable staff

Headmaster: Mr. Peter Phillips; Deputy Head: Mr. Clive Jackson

Famous alumni

• Sir Anthony Hopkins - actor
• The Rt. Hon. Paul Murphy - MP for Torfaen