Best schools in Cardiff: how they compare

"Overall, leaders provide a clear strategic direction and have created an inclusive, supportive community where most pupils are happy, behave well and demonstrate positive attitudes to learning." Estyn, June 2026

"Baden Powell Primary School is a welcoming and inclusive school where pupils feel valued, safe and supported." Estyn, June 2026

"St Monica’s Church in Wales Primary School is a welcoming and caring school where every pupil is valued." Estyn, June 2026

"The school promotes a caring and inclusive ethos where pupils feel valued, supported and confident in their learning." Estyn, May 2026

"Pentyrch Primary School provides a highly inclusive and nurturing environment where staff place pupils’ well-being at the centre of school life." Estyn, May 2026

"St John Lloyd RC Primary School is a welcoming, inclusive learning community where support for pupils’ well-being is at the heart of all aspects of school life." Estyn, May 2026

"Grangetown Primary is a happy and caring school, where the well-being of every pupil is important." Estyn, March 2026

"Tremorfa Nursery School provides a highly nurturing, inclusive and stimulating environment where pupils thrive, supported by a committed and reflective team." Estyn, March 2026

"Peter Lea Primary School provides a caring and inclusive environment where pupils and staff thrive." Estyn, March 2026

"St John’s College is a welcoming, ambitious and caring community where nearly all pupils make strong progress." Estyn, March 2026

"Pontprennau Primary is a highly inclusive and community-centred school." Estyn, February 2026

"Windsor Clive Primary School is a caring and inclusive community where leaders and staff are committed to ensuring that all pupils are supported to succeed." Estyn, February 2026

"A notable aspect of Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf is the ambition, independence and pride in their Welshness demonstrated by most pupils in the school." Estyn, February 2026

"Willowbrook Primary School is a friendly and inclusive school where pupils feel safe, and ready to learn each day." Estyn, January 2026

"Roath Park Primary School is a welcoming and inclusive school where pupils feel safe, supported and valued." Estyn, January 2026

"Ysgol Treganna is a caring and inclusive community in which pupils feel happy and safe." Estyn, November 2025

"Saint Mary the Virgin Church in Wales School lies at the heart of the local area and is a focal point of its diverse community." Estyn, November 2025

"Cantonian High School is a caring and inclusive community where most pupils feel safe and supported." Estyn, October 2025

"Danescourt Primary School is a friendly and inclusive community where pupils develop as confident, articulate learners who take pride in their achievements and care for one another." Estyn, October 2025

"Pen-y-Bryn Primary School is a happy community where staff and pupils show mutual respect for one another." Estyn, October 2025

"The headteacher provides effective leadership that drives a committed team with a clear vision that is focused on pupils’ well-being and progress." Estyn, September 2025

"The Hollies provides a caring and supportive environment where pupils are happy and safe and enjoy their learning." Estyn, September 2025

"Ninian Park Primary provides a welcoming, multi-cultural learning environment that promotes important values of equity, respect and inclusion." Estyn, June 2025

"Leaders at Rhydypenau Primary School set high expectations and create a highly inclusive, and caring learning environment." Estyn, June 2025

"Springwood is a school that serves a diverse community." Estyn, June 2025

"Tredegarville CIW Primary School is a welcoming place where pupils and their families are supported and valued." Estyn, May 2025

"Ysgol Pencae provides a caring and inclusive environment for pupils to thrive in a familial community." Estyn, May 2025

"Red Rose School offers a welcoming, inclusive and nurturing environment where pupils feel safe, valued and proud to belong." Estyn, March 2025

"Mount Stuart Primary is a welcoming and inclusive school with a clear vision that brings staff, pupils, and parents together." Estyn, March 2025

"At the heart of the school there is purposeful leadership and dedicated staff who work together to create a caring, welcoming and inspiring learning environment." Estyn, March 2025

"Lansdowne Primary is a welcoming and inclusive school where pupils feel valued and supported." Estyn, January 2025

"The school is an extremely caring and familial community that is an important part of its community." Estyn, November 2024

"Willows High School is a welcoming community where diversity is celebrated." Estyn, November 2024

"Fitzalan High School provides its pupils with a highly caring, nurturing and inclusive environment." Estyn, November 2024

"Moorland Primary School is a friendly and welcoming community where pupils feel valued and safe." Estyn, October 2024

"Leaders and staff at Ysgol Gymraeg Pwll Coch have developed a vision which focuses on well-being, progress in skills and raising pupils’ standards." Estyn, October 2024

"St Cadoc’s Primary School is a welcoming, happy school where leaders and staff develop positive relationships with pupils and foster a strong sense of community." Estyn, October 2024

"Stacey Primary School has established a welcoming and calm school community, with strong relationships between pupils and adults." Estyn, October 2024

"St Fagan’s Church in Wales Primary School has an inclusive culture where pupils feel safe and happy." Estyn, September 2024

"The school’s highly inclusive ethos encourages all pupils to become respectful, responsible and empathetic members of its welcoming community." Estyn, June 2024

"The Court School is a happy community where pupils feel valued and safe." Estyn, June 2024

"Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Eirwg is part of the Ffederasiwn y Ddraig federation, which was formed in September 2019." Estyn, June 2024

"Ysgol Gymraeg Pen y Pîl is part of the Ffederasiwn y Ddraig federation, which was formed in September 2019." Estyn, June 2024

"Pupils, staff and parents take pride in the school’s friendly, inclusive and Welsh ethos." Estyn, May 2024

"Byrn Hafod Primary School is part of the Rainbow Federation with nearby Glan-Yr- Afon Primary School." Estyn, May 2024

"Cardiff Steiner School is a happy, close-knit community where adults and pupils care for and respect each other." Estyn, May 2024

"Glan-Yr-Afon Primary School is part of the Rainbow Federation with nearby Bryn Hafod Primary School." Estyn, May 2024

"Whitchurch Primary School is a thriving learning community where pupils feel safe and valued." Estyn, April 2024

"Lakeside Primary School is a safe, happy and nurturing learning environment for its pupils." Estyn, March 2024

"Llysfaen Primary is a highly successful and happy school with high standards permeating all aspects of its life and work." Estyn, March 2024

"Staff at Hywel Dda Primary create a caring and supportive school." Estyn, February 2024

"Grangetown Nursery School is a warm, caring, and inclusive school." Estyn, March 2024

"This is a caring, nurturing school where the pupils feel safe and secure." Estyn, March 2024

"Birchgrove Primary School is a happy and inclusive learning community." Estyn, February 2024

"Howell’s School is an extremely happy school community built upon a culture of kindness and the humble pursuit of excellence." Estyn, February 2024

"Leaders in Radyr Comprehensive School place improving teaching at the centre of all of their work." Estyn, February 2024

"Gabalfa Primary School provides an inclusive, nurturing learning environment for pupils." Estyn, December 2023

"Whitchurch High School is a caring and inclusive community where pupils feel safe, and staff feel valued." Estyn, December 2023

"Ysgol Mynydd Bychan is a highly inclusive and supportive community which promotes a caring ethos successfully." Estyn, December 2023

"Pupils at Cardiff Sixth Form College achieve exceptionally high public examination results and progress onto highly competitive courses at universities, both in the UK and globally." Estyn, November 2023

"Kings Monkton School is an inclusive community with a powerful focus on equality and acceptance." Estyn, October 2023

"Mary Immaculate High School is a warm and inclusive learning community where pupils and staff feel welcome and valued." Estyn, October 2023

"Pupils at Severn Primary enjoy coming to their school." Estyn, October 2023

"Trelai Primary School is a calm and happy place for pupils to learn and develop safely and successfully." Estyn, October 2023

"Llanishen High School provides pupils with a vibrant environment where they are nurtured and valued as part of its inclusive community." Estyn, September 2023

"Rhiwbeina Primary School is a vibrant school where staff encourage all pupils to achieve the best they can." Estyn, September 2023

"The pupils at Coryton Primary School enjoy coming to school and take part in lessons and activities with great enthusiasm." Estyn, June 2023

"Most pupils in Pentrebane Primary School behave well." Estyn, June 2023

"Radnor Primary School is a caring and inclusive community where pupils and families feel respected and valued." Estyn, June 2023

"St. Paul’s Church in Wales Primary is a diverse, welcoming and inclusive school at the heart of its local community." Estyn, June 2023

"The pupils at Tongwynlais Primary School enjoy coming to school and take part in lessons and activities with great enthusiasm." Estyn, June 2023

"Ysgol Glan Ceubal is a happy, caring and homely community that places a high priority on the well-being of its pupils." Estyn, June 2023

"Staff at Adamsdown Primary School create a warm and welcoming place where its diverse school community thrive." Estyn, May 2023

"St. Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic Primary School provides an inclusive, caring and welcoming environment for pupils." Estyn, May 2023

"Greenhill School is a caring and nurturing school, which provides sensitive support for pupils’ emotional well-being." Estyn, April 2023

"Corpus Christi Catholic High School seeks to enrich pupils’ lives through faith and extremely high-quality care, support and guidance." Estyn, March 2023

"Craig Y Parc provides a calm and nurturing environment that generally meets pupils’ physical, medical and care needs well." Estyn, March 2023

"Christ the King Roman Catholic school provides a warm, inclusive learning environment for its pupils." Estyn, February 2023

"Coed Glas is an exceptionally caring and inclusive primary school where all pupils are encouraged to succeed in all aspects of learning." Estyn, January 2023

"The executive headteacher and senior leaders at Llanishen Fach Primary School provide strong and effective leadership for the school." Estyn, January 2023

"Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr is a close-knit community in which the school motto, ‘Parch, Parodrwydd, Perthyn’ (‘ Be respectful, Be prepared, Belong’), is central to everything." Estyn, January 2023

"Staff at Eastern High School place a high priority on pupils’ well-being and provide them with high levels of care, support and guidance." Estyn, December 2022

"Llandaff City CIW Primary School is a nurturing learning environment where pupils develop effective skills in areas such as language and mathematics." Estyn, December 2022

"Pupils at St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School thoroughly enjoy coming to school and are very proud to be members of its community." Estyn, December 2022

"Riverbank School is one of three special schools that form the Western Learning Federation." Estyn, November 2022

"Tŷ Gwyn School is one of three special schools that form the Western Learning Federation." Estyn, November 2022

"Woodlands High School is one of three special schools that form the Western Learning Federation." Estyn, November 2022

"Greenway Primary School is part of The Oaks Federation and is a very warm and welcoming school whose ethos of care and support permeates all it does." Estyn, October 2022

"Herbert Thompson Primary School places high priority on pupil well-being and developing pupil aspirations for the future." Estyn, October 2022

"The pupils at Thornhill Primary thoroughly enjoy coming to school and make notable progress in their social skills." Estyn, October 2022

"Trowbridge Primary School is part of The Oaks Federation and is a warm and welcoming school whose ethos of care and support permeates all it does." Estyn, October 2022

"Llanedeyrn Primary School is a happy, inclusive school that places a high priority on the wellbeing of its pupils." Estyn, July 2022

"Holy Family RC Primary School is a diverse community where contributions to its unique ethos and culture make it a warm, welcoming and exciting place to live and learn." Estyn, June 2022

"St Patrick’s R.C. Primary School is a happy, inclusive school that places a high priority on the well-being of its pupils." Estyn, June 2022

"Bryn Celyn Primary School gives its pupils a strong start in life." Estyn, May 2022

"Through inspirational leadership and a culture of high ambition underpinned by the mission of ‘opportunities for all’, Cathays High School is a highly inclusive and aspirational learning community where pupils and staff thrive." Estyn, May 2022

"Bryn y Deryn PRU effectively provides a wide range of worthwhile learning opportunities for pupils as they plan for their pathways to further education, training or employment." Estyn, May 2022

"Albany Primary is a diverse and welcoming inner-city school in Cardiff." Estyn, March 2022

"The headteacher and his staff at St. Teilo’s are united in their strong commitment to keeping pupils safe, raising their aspirations and helping them to develop and achieve." Estyn, March 2022

"Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pen-y- Groes is a successful learning community that celebrates pupils’ Welshness, diversity and achievement particularly well." Estyn

"Birchwood School is welcoming and nurturing, where nearly all staff work closely together to help nearly all pupils develop their social and emotional skills appropriately." Estyn, October 2025

"Cardiff Montessori School was founded by the proprietor and current headteacher in 2016." Estyn, March 2023

"Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern fosters a strong sense of belonging and provides a close- knit family environment for its pupils." Estyn, February 2025

"Over the past year, the school has experienced significant changes, including moving to a new building, a rapid increase in pupil numbers, and changes in leadership." Estyn, February 2025