The Llandovery school has been awarded School of the Month for April – an accolade handed out by the Sport Wales’ 5x60 scheme, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and run locally by Carmarthenshire Council.

5x60 is about getting secondary school children active for at least 60 minutes, five times a week. And the scheme is scoring high marks - in fact, 98% of mainstream schools in Wales have now signed up.

Well over 60% of the pupils at Ysgol Gyfun Pantycelyn are regularly giving 5x60 activities a shot since the scheme arrived at the school two years ago.

A whole host of activities are on offer at the school, including rock climbing, dodgeball, rugby, skiing, table tennis, basketball and netball. With new activities on the timetable for this year many more are set to sign up.

5x60 Officer at the school, Lyn Brodrick said:

"Putting on a variety of activities for pupils in such a rural area is extremely beneficial as some activities are very hard for families to get the opportunity to take part in.

"I’ve certainly seen an improved sense of ownership and team work by the pupils and an increase in leadership from older pupils."

Felicity Walters, Head of PE, said:

"I have been really pleased with the impact the 5x60 initiative has had within the school. The programme has provided so many opportunities that otherwise would have not been available to the pupils. The pupils have benefitted greatly from the wide range of activities that are on offer both during and after school."