Nine schools across Gwynedd are celebrating awards from the 'Siarter Iaith' language scheme.

Four primary schools have achieved the top Gold award - namely Ysgol Abererch, Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn in Bethesda, Ysgol Rhosgadfan and Ysgol Pentreuchaf in Pwllheli.

Meanwhile, Ysgol Eifionydd in Porthmadog has won the Silver award - the first of the county's secondary schools to be recognised under the new framework introduced last September.

Catrin Roberts, Siarter Iaith co-ordinator at Ysgol Eifionydd said: "Ysgol Eifionydd is proud to be the first secondary school in Gwynedd to receive the silver award. This displays the strong position of the Welsh language in the Porthmadog catchment area. Onwards for the gold!"

Originally developed by Cyngor Gwynedd in 2013, the Siarter Iaith scheme (Welsh Language Charter) has since been adopted nationally by the Welsh Government and is now being implemented in line with the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP).

The three-tier scheme recognises local schools' commitment to promoting Welsh and increasing its social use in Wales regardless of pupils' linguistic background.

Annwen Hughes, headteacher at Ysgol Abererch - one of the gold winners - said: "Everyone at the school is extremely proud to have achieved the Gold Award of the Siarter Iaith for the work being done here to promote the Welsh language."

"'Cyfle i bawb lwyddo' (Opportunity for all to succeed) is the school's motto, and ensuring that every pupil can fully access all aspects of Welsh culture by speaking the language every day is a central part of this."

"A group of pupils, the Dreigiau Bach ('Little Dragons'), have been shaping their own Siarter Iaith priorities for several years now, and this helps them see the value and purpose of the work, as well as giving them the opportunity to think about effective ways of promoting the language."

"They monitor its implementation and report to the governors on their progress and successes."

"Activities such as playtime Dreigiau groups, bedtime story sessions, and nursery rhyme projects have been valuable and effective. The entire school community understands the goal and their role in achieving it!"

On Anglesey, Ysgol David Hughes in Menai Bridge recently became the island's first secondary school to achieve the Silver award.

In Gwynedd, silver awards have also gone to Ysgol Treferthyr in Cricieth and Ysgol Eifion Wyn in Porthmadog, while the bronze award has been won by Ysgol Talsarnau and Ysgol y Hendre in Caernarfon.

Cllr Dewi Jones, cabinet member for education at Cyngor Gwynedd, added: "A Welsh Gwynedd is one of the council's priorities, and we endeavour to promote the growth of the Welsh language in all parts of the county."

"We want to ensure that every child in Gwynedd can use Welsh confidently in school and in their social life."

"I wish to congratulate all schools on their achievement. This reflects the ongoing commitment of Gwynedd schools in ensuring that the Welsh language thrives and remains central to pupils' lives."

"The Siarter Iaith is much more than a school project - it is an important step towards ensuring a sustainable future for the Welsh language as a core part of our children's daily lives."