Best schools in Ceredigion: how they compare
Ceredigion has 42 open schools - 34 primary and 4 secondary among them - teaching about 9,145 pupils. 95% teach through Welsh or in both languages, and none is in Estyn follow-up. Here is every school side by side, with what Estyn found when it last visited.
Why there is no league table in Wales
Wales stopped publishing school performance tables, and since September 2022 Estyn, the schools inspectorate, no longer sums a school up in one word like "Excellent" or "Good". Each report describes what pupils learn, how well they are taught and what the school should do next. So a ranking of the best schools in Ceredigion would rest on someone's opinion, not published data. What you can compare is set out below: whether Estyn has asked a school to improve, what its latest report says, the language your child would be taught in, and the kind of intake each school has.
Estyn follow-up
No school in Ceredigion is in follow-up.
- No follow-up41 (98%)
- No report on file1 (2%)
Source: Estyn inspection reports
Language of teaching
95% Welsh-medium or dual language in Ceredigion, against 30% across Wales.
- Welsh-medium34 (81%)
- Dual language6 (14%)
- English-medium1 (2%)
- Not recorded1 (2%)
Source: Welsh Government school data
Schools by stage in Ceredigion
Click a stage to filter the list below.
- Primary34
- Middle3
- Secondary4
Ceredigion against Wales
The typical (median) school in the council, set against the typical school in Wales.
- Pupils eligible for free meals (3-year)
- 15.6%18.6%
- Pupils with additional learning needs
- 9.8%8.1%
- Budget per pupil
- £6,173£5,801
Source: Welsh Government school census 2025/26 and school budgets 2026-27
What the numbers say about schools in Ceredigion
At the typical school in Ceredigion, 15.6% of pupils have been eligible for free school meals over the last three years, 3.0 points below the Welsh figure. Every primary pupil in Wales now gets a free lunch, so this measures eligibility, the usual guide to how disadvantaged an intake is. 9.8% of pupils at the typical school have additional learning needs (1.7 points above the Welsh figure). Schools here receive about £6,173 per pupil, £372 above the Welsh figure. Pupil numbers have fallen by 3.5% since 2020/21, which can mean spare places at some schools and pressure on budgets. The largest school is Ysgol Penglais, with 1,141 pupils.
None of these figures tells you whether a school is good. A school with a more disadvantaged intake can be doing outstanding work, and a small rural school with a high budget per pupil is often simply small. Use them to understand the setting, then read what Estyn wrote.
Every school in Ceredigion
Schools not in Estyn follow-up first, then the most recently inspected. This is not a ranking by quality.
42 of 42 schools shown
- No follow-up
Ysgol Llwyn Yr Eos
CeredigionPrimaryDual language218 pupils39.7% free meals
"A caring and inclusive ethos lies at the heart of Ysgol Llwyn yr Eos." Estyn, June 2026
- No follow-up
Ceredigion Pupil Referral Service
CeredigionNot recorded
"Ceredigion Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) provides a calm and supportive environment in which pupils feel known, valued and listened to." Estyn, January 2026
- No follow-up
Ysgol Llechryd
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium48 pupils32.2% free meals
"Ysgol Gynradd Llechryd is a happy and inclusive learning community in which pupils and staff treat each other with care and kindness." Estyn, November 2025
- No follow-up
Ysgol Plascrug
CeredigionPrimaryDual language426 pupils14.4% free meals
"The school’s leaders foster a harmonious vision of a happy, caring and multilingual learning community where all pupils are valued and supported to thrive." Estyn, November 2025
- No follow-up
Ysgol Llanfihangel-Y-Creuddyn
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium13 pupils
"Ysgol Llanfihangel y Creuddyn is a caring and inclusive school where all pupils feel happy and safe." Estyn, October 2025
- No follow-up
Ysgol Gynradd Wirfoddol Myfenydd
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-mediumChurch in Wales85 pupils17.4% free meals
"Ysgol Gynradd Wirfoddol Myfenydd prioritises pupils' wellbeing successfully." Estyn, June 2025
- No follow-up
Ysgol Llanilar
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium116 pupils
- No follow-up
Ysgol Bro Pedr
CeredigionMiddleDual language920 pupils19.5% free meals
"Ysgol Bro Pedr is an inclusive and welcoming community where most pupils behave respectfully and show a positive attitude to learning." Estyn, May 2025
- No follow-up
Yr Ysgol Gymraeg
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium342 pupils5.9% free meals
"Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth is a caring community that celebrates Welshness, respect and pupils’ achievements well." Estyn, March 2025
- No follow-up
Ysgol Gynradd Aberteifi
AberbeifiPrimaryWelsh-medium358 pupils26.4% free meals
"The school is a welcoming community that is an important part of its community." Estyn, March 2025
- No follow-up
Ysgol Bro Sion Cwilt
LlandysulPrimaryWelsh-medium137 pupils10.1% free meals
"Pupils, staff and parents take pride in the school’s friendly, inclusive and familial environment." Estyn, January 2025
- No follow-up
Ysgol Comins Coch
CeredigionPrimaryDual language138 pupils11.8% free meals
"Leaders develop a positive culture and inclusive ethos, focusing on pupils' learning and well-being effectively." Estyn, November 2024
- No follow-up
Ysgol Bro Teifi
CeredigionMiddleWelsh-medium847 pupils10.4% free meals
"Staff and pupils at Ysgol Bro Teifi work together closely to create a familial environment and maintain an inclusive and caring ethos." Estyn, November 2024
- No follow-up
Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig
AberystwythSecondaryWelsh-medium577 pupils5.4% free meals
"Caring for pupils’ well-being is given a prominent place at Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig." Estyn, October 2024
- No follow-up
Ysgol Henry Richard School
TregaronMiddleWelsh-medium377 pupils15.6% free meals
"Ysgol Henry Richard operates effectively as one caring community for pupils aged 3 to 16." Estyn, October 2024
- No follow-up
Ysgol Llannon
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium38 pupils
"Ysgol Llannon is a caring, inclusive and happy community." Estyn, June 2024
- No follow-up
Ysgol Tal-y-bont
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium57 pupils
"Ysgol Tal-y-Bont is a caring, happy and familial community." Estyn, June 2024
- No follow-up
Ysgol Syr John Rhys
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium15 pupils56.8% free meals
"Ysgol Syr John Rhys is a successful learning community that celebrates Welsh culture, courtesy and respect, and pupils’ achievements, exceptionally well." Estyn, March 2024
- No follow-up
Ysgol Talgarreg
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium39 pupils
"Ysgol Talgarreg is an extremely welcoming and friendly school that aims to ensure the best learning experiences and well-being for all pupils." Estyn, March 2024
- No follow-up
Ysgol Gymunedol Llanfarian
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium25 pupils
"One of the notable features of Ysgol Llanfarian is that it is a caring and inclusive community that fosters pupils’ well-being and promotes their learning successfully." Estyn, January 2024
- No follow-up
Ysgol Cenarth
CarmarthenshirePrimaryWelsh-medium93 pupils22.8% free meals
"Ysgol Cenarth is a happy, familial and welcoming community." Estyn, October 2023
- No follow-up
Ysgol Cei Newydd
CeredigionPrimaryDual language57 pupils16.6% free meals
"Ysgol Gymunedol Cei Newydd provides a happy and welcoming environment where pupils’ well-being and rights are prioritised successfully." Estyn, June 2023
- No follow-up
Ysgol Pontrhydfendigaid
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium60 pupils18.2% free meals
"Ysgol Pontrhydfendigaid is a wonderful school with a happy, caring and welcoming ethos where the well-being of all pupils is a clear priority." Estyn, May 2023
- No follow-up
Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron
CeredigionSecondaryWelsh-medium568 pupils15.3% free meals
"Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron is a close-knit, inclusive and bilingual community." Estyn, March 2023
- No follow-up
Ysgol Padarn Sant
CeredigionPrimaryDual languageRoman Catholic150 pupils15.7% free meals
"Ysgol Gatholig Padarn Sant is a happy diverse community where pupils make good progress across their range of skills." Estyn, March 2023
- No follow-up
Ysgol Penparc
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium124 pupils5.8% free meals
"Ysgol Penparc is a caring, happy and welcoming community." Estyn, March 2023
- No follow-up
Ysgol Y Dderi
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium95 pupils15.6% free meals
"Ysgol Y Dderi is a happy, caring, and homely community." Estyn, March 2023
- No follow-up
Ysgol Penllwyn
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium44 pupils16.2% free meals
"Ysgol Penllwyn is a rural school with a homely and welcoming ethos." Estyn, September 2022
- No follow-up
Ysgol Penrhyncoch
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium115 pupils14.6% free meals
"Ysgol Penrhyncoch is a welcoming village school that has close links with the local community." Estyn, September 2022
- No follow-up
Ysgol Penglais
CeredigionSecondaryEnglish-medium1,141 pupils15.1% free meals
"Effective leadership and a culture of trust has strengthened the teaching and learning experiences at the school over time." Estyn, May 2022
- No follow-up
Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi
CeredigionSecondaryWelsh-medium636 pupils20.6% free meals
"Most pupils at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi are considerate, friendly young people who demonstrate care for each other and respect towards staff and visitors." Estyn, March 2022
- No follow-up
Ysgol Aberporth
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium163 pupils10.6% free meals
- No follow-up
Ysgol Craig Yr Wylfa
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium30 pupils32.9% free meals
- No follow-up
Ysgol Dyffryn Cledlyn VC CiW
LlanybydderPrimaryWelsh-mediumChurch in Wales110 pupils6.2% free meals
- No follow-up
Ysgol Gynradd Aberaeron
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium228 pupils7.3% free meals
- No follow-up
Ysgol Gynradd Llanarth
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium69 pupils17.9% free meals
- No follow-up
Ysgol Llangwyryfon
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium24 pupils
- No follow-up
Ysgol Mynach
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium42 pupils
- No follow-up
Ysgol Rhos Helyg
TregaronPrimaryWelsh-medium54 pupils28.8% free meals
- No follow-up
Ysgol Rhydypennau
CeredigionPrimaryWelsh-medium200 pupils10.0% free meals
- No follow-up
Ysgol T. Llew Jones
LlandysulPrimaryWelsh-medium156 pupils10.6% free meals
- No report on file
Ysgol Dyffryn Aeron
LampeterPrimaryWelsh-mediumNot available210 pupils13.2% free meals
Choosing and applying for a school in Ceredigion
Start with Estyn. Its report on each school is short, plain and recent, and the recommendations at the end tell you what the inspectors want to see improve. A school in special measures or in need of significant improvement is being revisited, and some turn round quickly, so check the date and read what has changed. Then visit: an hour in a school tells you more about how it feels than any figure.
Decide early whether you want Welsh-medium education. Every school in Wales teaches Welsh to 16, but a Welsh-medium school teaches most lessons through Welsh, and children from English-speaking homes join from nursery and reception every year. Moving between the two later is harder, so the choice usually matters most at the start of primary school.
Applications for community schools go to Ceredigion council, not the school; voluntary aided church schools can run their own admissions, so check each one. Welsh councils set their own closing dates and most give priority to children living in a school's catchment area, so check which catchment your address falls in before you rank your choices. If you are applying for a secondary place, look at the feeder primaries too: many Ceredigion secondaries take most of their pupils from a named group of primary schools.
Questions parents ask about schools in Ceredigion
How many schools are there in Ceredigion?
Ceredigion has 42 open schools on School Signal, including 34 primary and 4 secondary schools, teaching about 9,145 pupils (school census 2025/26).
Which schools in Ceredigion are in Estyn follow-up?
None. No school in Ceredigion is currently in special measures or in need of significant improvement, according to Estyn's latest reports.
How many Welsh-medium schools are there in Ceredigion?
34 schools in Ceredigion teach mainly through Welsh and 6 teach in both languages - 95% of the council's schools, against 30% across Wales. You don't need to speak Welsh at home for your child to attend one.
Is there a school league table for Ceredigion?
No. Wales stopped publishing school league tables and Estyn no longer gives schools an overall grade, so any "top ten" list for Ceredigion is someone's own judgement. Compare Estyn's reports, the language of teaching and how far you are from each school instead.
Sources: Estyn inspection reports (Crown copyright, quoted with acknowledgement); Welsh Government school census and school budget data, Open Government Licence v3.0.