Bishopston, Swansea

Bishopston
Welsh: Llandeilo Ferwallt

Pwll-Du Bay
Bishopston
 Bishopston shown within Swansea
Population 3,251 (ward 2011)[1]
OS grid referenceSS5888
CommunityBishopston
Principal areaSwansea
Ceremonial countyWest Glamorgan
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post town SWANSEA
Postcode district SA3
Dialling code 01792
Police South Wales
Fire Mid and West Wales
Ambulance Welsh
EU Parliament Wales
UK ParliamentGower
Welsh AssemblyGower
List of places
UK
Wales
Swansea

Coordinates: 51°34′30″N 4°03′04″W / 51.575°N 4.051°W / 51.575; -4.051

Bishopston (Welsh: Llandeilo Ferwallt) is a hamlet and community situated on the Gower Peninsula, some 6 miles (9.7 km) west south west of the centre of Swansea in South Wales. Forming part of the Bishopston ward of the City and County of Swansea, it is one of the largest villages on Gower. Bishopston has its own rugby club, South Gower RFC, and its own primary and comprehensive schools. Local beaches include Brandy Cove, Caswell Bay and Pwll Du. The electoral ward consists of part or all of the following areas: Barland Common, Caswell, Clyne Common, Bishopston, Manselfield, Murton, Oldway, in the parliamentary constituency of Gower. It is bounded by the Bristol Channel to the south; and the wards of: Pennard to the west; Fairwood to the north; and Mayals, West Cross and Newton to the east.

It is partly within the Gower Peninsula Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The church, located at the head of Bishopston Valley, is dedicated to St Teilo who gives the village its Welsh name. Bishopston gives its name to the Bishopston Mudstone, a name used by geologists to refer to a rock formation with a widespread occurrence in south Wales.

Education

The Comprehensive School, Bishopston Comprehensive, achieved excellent results again this year (2015).The Sunday Times Parent Power analysis of top 50 11-16 comprehensive schools placed Bishopston in second place in the UK. In 2015, 45.4% of all GCSE grades were awarded at A* or A.

In the 2008 GCSE exams, the school was the highest performing comprehensive school in Wales, with 16.85% A*, and 38.93% A* and A combined. (The times online)."The Thunderer" rated the school 8th best Comprehensive without a 6th form in England & Wales. In 2007 the school was rated amongst the top comprehensive schools in The UK (The Sunday Times league tables 2007) with one of the highest percentage of A*-C grades, and A*/A grades at GCSE - Joint 4th best Comprehensive without a 6th form in England & Wales. According to the latest inspection report by Estyn the school had a pass rate of 79% which put it in 7th place in Wales.

The Primary School, . A Level 1 Rights Respecting School (2012) and bases its ethos on clear and explicit values. In a recent Estyn inspection report (July 2012) it was stated that the good level of care, support and guidance provided for pupils is a strength of the school. It was also stated that: Pupils feel, secure, valued and safe within the school’s nurturing environment.

Shops and services

Bishopston has several shops. Other local services include a hotel and cafe, three public houses, a petrol station, retirement homes, post office, church halls, sports hall, medical centre and children's play area.

Tourist attractions

Many people visiting Bishopston are attracted to its coastline, mainly Caswell Bay because of its easy accessibility, car parking, seasonal bus service, shops and cafes, public tolets, open air showers, and seasonal lifeguarding. Other Bishopston beaches, such as Pwll Du and Brandy Cove, which can only be visited on foot, remain untouched by the majority of visitors.

Population and housing

The population of Bishopston has increased steadily from the beginning of the 19th century. In 1801, the first census of England and Wales reported that 303 people were living in 73 houses in the parish of Bishopston. By 1931 the population had increased to around 1,500 people living in 369 houses.[2] In 2001 the population of the village was 3,341.[3] The village experienced significant growth between the First and Second World Wars and in the 1960s.

Bishopston's rural location has influenced the pattern of its development. Most dwellings are detached or semi-detached and benefit from generous gardens. As a result, property in Bishopston is expensive by the standards of most of South Wales and is beyond the reach of many first time buyers. Nearly all of the property in Bishopston is privately owned, with only 1% of homes rented from the local authority.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Ward population 2011". Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  2. ↑ Orrin, G. R (1982) A History of Bishopston, Gomer Press. ISBN 0-85088-507-8
  3. 1 2 Electoral Division Profile, Swansea .gov.uk

http://www.bishopston.swansea.sch.uk/

External links

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