The school has been awarded School of the Month for May – an accolade handed out by Sport Wales’ 5x60 scheme, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and run locally by Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council.

5x60 aims to get secondary school children who usually prefer to stay on the sporting sidelines more active, more often and the scheme is scoring high marks. In fact, 98% of mainstream schools in Wales have now signed up.

Pupils of all ages and abilities have given 5x60 activities a shot since the scheme arrived at the school in September 2008 and with the new activities on the timetable for this year many more are set to sign up.

A whole host of activities are on offer at the school, including gymnastics, rounders, mountain biking, trampolining, swimming and street dance, along with the chance for the pupils to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh award. Amongst the younger pupils’ street dance is proving to be a firm favourite, whereas trampolining comes out on top for the older girls at the school – with their routines even being used for their GCSE practical exams.

5x60 Officer at the school, Claire Seaborne, who is in her first year at the school, comments on the success of the scheme at Aberdare so far,

"I’m in my first year at the school and already I can see that the profile of 5x60 is increasing all the time. There has been a rise in the numbers of pupils attending the lunch time and after school sessions and the scheme as had a massive impact since it arrived in 2008.

And the pupils are certainly championing the scheme,

Ainsley McGill, said, "I enjoy street dance, Cardiff City football and outdoor fitness the most. I go to them all, I love 5x60."

"My favourite activity is mountain biking and our 5x60 Officer Claire is great. I have lots of fun and enjoy trying new activities," said pupil, Lucy Reglar.

Chair of the Sport Wales, Professor Laura McAllister, said:

"One of the winning formulas behind 5x60 is that pupils can take part in physical activity during lunchtimes and after school. The challenge now is to open the school doors for 5x60 at weekends and in school holidays. Success stories such as at Aberdare lay the foundations for Sport Wales’ long term objective to ensure that as many of these youngsters as possible go on to live healthy adult lives."

Latest figures reveal that more youngsters across Wales are lacing up their trainers for a taste of 5x60 action. The programme has been championed by Olympic silver medallist David Davies, Stuart Cable and Hip Neu Sgip presenter Alex Jones.