Heolddu Comprehensive School

Heolddu Comprehensive School is a school located in the town of Bargoed, South Wales, and serves the town of Bargoed as well as the villages of Deri, Aberbargoed, Tir-Phil, Cascade, Gilfach, Tredegar and Brithdir in the Caerphilly LEA. Currently there are over 700 pupils on roll, including over 80 pupils in a vibrant 6th form, with 43 teaching staff and 28 support staff. The school is led by headteacher Mr. M. Sims.BackgroundThe building itself was constructed in 1974. Its motto is "opportunity for all" and can be read on the school badge on the school uniform (in Welsh).Notable former pupilsJames Richard Mullett, 33-year-old singer, pianist and guitarist, better known as James Fox, attended the school as a teenager. He has since gone on to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. He still regularly returns to Heolddu, his last visit being as recent as March 2009, when he performed a song for a selection of pupils. The school proudly boasts a signed poster on its corridor wall, wishing the staff and pupils all the best.Other Famous VisitorsIn May 2009, Tom Daley, the 15-year-old Olympic diver, paid a visit to Heolddu to swim with selected pupils to promote the sport. The pupils were selected through the 'healthy eating' ladder, in which pupils gain points for purchases healthy meals. Following the spell in the leisure centre, he attended the schools canteen to also help encourage several pupils to eat healthier. A signed plaque is also on display in the corridors. Shortly after his visit, strong rumours began to escalate that the young talent was considering moving permanently to the school, after believed 'bullying' at his current school. However the rumours shortly died out and have since been forgotten.