Best schools in Newport: how they compare

Newport has 60 open schools - 42 primary and 9 secondary among them - teaching about 26,772 pupils. 8% teach through Welsh or in both languages, and 7 are 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 Newport 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

7 of 60 schools are in follow-up; Estyn returns to check their progress.

No follow-up51 (85%)
Significant improvement7 (12%)
No report on file2 (3%)

Source: Estyn inspection reports

Language of teaching

8% Welsh-medium or dual language in Newport, against 30% across Wales.

Welsh-medium5 (8%)
English-medium46 (77%)
Not recorded9 (15%)

Source: Welsh Government school data

Schools by stage in Newport

Click a stage to filter the list below.

Primary42
Secondary9
Special2

Newport against Wales

The typical (median) school in the council, set against the typical school in Wales.

NewportWales

Pupils eligible for free meals (3-year): 18.3%
18.6%
Pupils with additional learning needs: 6.1%
8.1%
Budget per pupil: £5,437
£5,801

Source: Welsh Government school census 2025/26 and school budgets 2026-27

What the numbers say about schools in Newport

At the typical school in Newport, 18.3% of pupils have been eligible for free school meals over the last three years, close to 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. 6.1% of pupils at the typical school have additional learning needs (2.0 points below the Welsh figure). Schools here receive about £5,437 per pupil, £364 below the Welsh figure. Pupil numbers have risen by 3.7% since 2020/21, so popular schools may fill faster. The largest school is Bassaleg School, with 1,908 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 Newport

Schools not in Estyn follow-up first, then the most recently inspected. This is not a ranking by quality.

60 of 60 schools shown

Glan Usk Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium680 pupils14.5% free meals
No follow-up
St Gabriel's R.C. Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-mediumRoman Catholic206 pupils15.2% free meals
No follow-up
"St Gabriel’s Roman Catholic Primary School provides a safe, positive and caring ethos where the learning and achievement and well-being of every pupil matters." Estyn, June 2026
Malpas Park Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium220 pupils11.2% free meals
No follow-up
"Malpas Park Primary is a welcoming school where staff and pupils feel valued and supported." Estyn, March 2026
St Joseph's R.C.High School
NewportSecondaryEnglish-mediumRoman Catholic1,444 pupils11.9% free meals
No follow-up
"St Joseph’s Roman Catholic High School provides a caring and supportive environment where many pupils, including those with Additional Learning Needs (ALN), develop their knowledge and confidence well." Estyn, March 2026
Marshfield Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium439 pupils3.9% free meals
No follow-up
"Marshfield Primary is a welcoming and inclusive community where pupils are happy, polite and proud to be part of their school." Estyn, January 2026
Gaer Primary school
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium467 pupils24.9% free meals
No follow-up
"Leaders across the federation of schools work collaboratively to provide pupils with a broad, inclusive, and engaging curriculum that reflects their interests well." Estyn, October 2025
Maesglas C.P. School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium295 pupils44.2% free meals
No follow-up
"Leaders across the federation of schools work collaboratively to provide pupils with a broad, inclusive, and engaging curriculum that reflects their interests well." Estyn, October 2025
Mount Pleasant Primary
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium261 pupils
No follow-up
"Mount Pleasant Primary School is a nurturing and inclusive school community where pupils feel safe, protected and valued." Estyn, June 2025
St David's R.C. Junior & Infants School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-mediumRoman Catholic202 pupils6.9% free meals
No follow-up
"The headteacher has high expectations of staff and pupils and leads by example." Estyn, March 2025
Caerleon Comprehensive School
NewportSecondaryEnglish-medium1,494 pupils9.7% free meals
No follow-up
"Caerleon Comprehensive School strives to ensure that the needs of all pupils are met, and they are prepared well for life." Estyn, February 2025
Clytha Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium233 pupils4.6% free meals
No follow-up
"Leaders and staff at Clytha Primary School have a clear vision and high expectations that focuses on pupils’ well-being and learning." Estyn, January 2025
Sporting Chance
NewportNot recorded
No follow-up
Malpas Court Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium239 pupils37.3% free meals
No follow-up
"Malpas Court Primary School is an inclusive and nurturing environment." Estyn, November 2024
Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd
CasnewyddPrimaryWelsh-medium353 pupils21.5% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd is an inclusive community with a strong emphasis on the well-being and development of pupils, staff and the wider community." Estyn, November 2024
Llanmartin Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium132 pupils29.6% free meals
No follow-up
"The headteacher is knowledgeable and passionate about how the school can make a difference in the local community." Estyn, July 2024
Maindee C.P. School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium544 pupils28.3% free meals
No follow-up
"Leaders at Maindee Primary School create an inclusive culture that celebrates its diverse nature well." Estyn, June 2024
Ysgol Gymraeg Nant Gwenlli
NewportPrimaryWelsh-mediumNot available72 pupils32.5% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Gymraeg Nant Gwenlli, which was established in September 2021, is a successful learning community that celebrates pupils’ Welshness, courtesy and respect exceptionally well." Estyn, June 2024
Maes Ebbw School
NewportSpecialNot recorded157 pupils
No follow-up
"Maes Ebbw is a happy community where pupils feel valued and safe." Estyn, June 2024
Glan Llyn Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium478 pupils18.0% free meals
No follow-up
"Since opening Glan Llyn Primary School, the headteacher, with the support of the governing body and staff, has created a highly inclusive ethos where the pupils’ well- being is at the core of everything that they do." Estyn, May 2024
St Julian's School
NewportSecondaryEnglish-medium1,433 pupils21.5% free meals
No follow-up
"St Julian’s School holds true to its mission ‘A school for all, where everyone succeeds’." Estyn, May 2024
Eveswell Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium458 pupils15.0% free meals
No follow-up
"Eveswell Primary School is federated with nearby Somerton Primary School." Estyn, February 2024
Somerton Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium170 pupils32.6% free meals
No follow-up
"Somerton Primary School is federated with nearby Eveswell Primary School." Estyn, February 2024
St Andrew's Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium727 pupils26.7% free meals
No follow-up
"St Andrew’s Primary is a highly inclusive school community where pupils thrive." Estyn, January 2024
Langstone Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium340 pupils2.3% free meals
No follow-up
"Leaders, staff and governors at Langstone Primary School provide a safe and stimulating environment for pupils who flourish there." Estyn, October 2023
Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Teyrnon
CasnewyddPrimaryWelsh-medium202 pupils12.1% free meals
No follow-up
"Ysgol Bro Teyrnon is a happy, inclusive and caring community that places a strong emphasis on celebrating Welshness and respecting others." Estyn, October 2023
Ysgol Gymraeg Ifor Hael
BettwsPrimaryWelsh-medium197 pupils22.4% free meals
No follow-up
"Leaders have a clear and robust vision for the school, which is based on develop pupils’ well-being and Welsh language skills." Estyn, October 2023
St Woolos Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium347 pupils23.0% free meals
No follow-up
"St. Woolos Primary School is an effective and caring school, which holds the community it serves at the heart of all it does." Estyn, May 2023
Caerleon Lodge Hill Primary School
CaerleonPrimaryEnglish-medium305 pupils18.3% free meals
No follow-up
"The school has developed the new school building very well to create a welcoming, spacious learning environment, with extensive resources to support pupils’ learning." Estyn, January 2023
High Cross Primary
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium256 pupils9.4% free meals
No follow-up
"High Cross Primary school is a happy school where pupils show respect and consideration in lessons, playtimes and as they move around the school." Estyn, October 2022
Jubilee Park Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium367 pupils5.2% free meals
No follow-up
"Since its opening five years ago, senior leaders have placed professional learning and effective engagement with research at the heart of the work of this new school." Estyn, October 2022
Milton Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium471 pupils41.4% free meals
No follow-up
"Milton Primary is an inclusive, supportive school where pupils make good progress and develop resilience and independence." Estyn, October 2022
Tredegar Park Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium426 pupils35.5% free meals
No follow-up
"Tredegar Park Primary is a caring school with support for pupil well-being at its heart." Estyn, October 2022
Crindau Junior & Infant School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium333 pupils40.3% free meals
No follow-up
"Pupils at Crindau Primary School are polite and helpful." Estyn, May 2022
Bassaleg School
NewportSecondaryEnglish-medium1,908 pupils6.6% free meals
No follow-up
Bridge Achievement Centre
NewportNot recorded
No follow-up
Charles Williams Church in Wales Primary School
CaerleonPrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales498 pupils6.5% free meals
No follow-up
Glasllwch C.P. School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium243 pupils
No follow-up
Lliswerry High School
NewportSecondaryEnglish-medium1,001 pupils31.3% free meals
No follow-up
Malpas Church In Wales Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales269 pupils10.1% free meals
No follow-up
Newport High School
NewportSecondaryEnglish-medium1,106 pupils28.8% free meals
No follow-up
Newport Nursery School
NewportNot recorded
No follow-up
Pentrepoeth C.P. School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium449 pupils4.1% free meals
No follow-up
Ringland Primary
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium214 pupils45.3% free meals
No follow-up
Rogerstone Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium478 pupils10.7% free meals
No follow-up
Rougemont School
NewportNot recorded
No follow-up
St Julians Primary
Newport (Casnewydd)PrimaryEnglish-medium673 pupils24.1% free meals
No follow-up
St Mary's R.C. Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-mediumRoman Catholic406 pupils9.2% free meals
No follow-up
St Patrick's R.C. Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-mediumRoman Catholic240 pupils15.2% free meals
No follow-up
The John Frost School
NewportSecondaryEnglish-medium1,409 pupils26.7% free meals
No follow-up
Ysgol Bryn Derw
NewportSpecialNot recorded111 pupils
No follow-up
Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed
NewportSecondaryWelsh-medium526 pupils16.0% free meals
No follow-up
"Many pupils at Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed are proud to be a part of the school community." Estyn
Pont y Gamlas Primary School
NewportNot recorded
No report on file
St Michael's R.C. Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-mediumRoman Catholic246 pupils18.2% free meals
No report on file
Greenfields School
NewportNot recorded
Standards not met (independent)
Alway Primary
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium395 pupils47.5% free meals
Significant improvement
"The school is a caring and nurturing community with a strong safeguarding culture and positive professional relationships between staff and pupils." Estyn, February 2026
Lliswerry Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium591 pupils29.9% free meals
Significant improvement
"Lliswerry Primary School is a welcoming and inclusive school where staff ensure that pupils feel supported and listened to." Estyn, June 2025
Catch22 Include Wales
NewportNot recorded
Standards not met (independent)
"Catch22 Include Wales School is a caring and welcoming community." Estyn, June 2023
Pillgwenlly C.P. School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-medium724 pupils37.1% free meals
Significant improvement
"Pupils at Pillgwenlly Primary School are polite, friendly, and caring." Estyn, April 2023
Llanwern High School
NewportSecondaryEnglish-medium1,129 pupils37.1% free meals
Significant improvement
"Staff at Llanwern High School work hard to offer pupils of all abilities and backgrounds a supportive environment based upon care and mutual respect." Estyn
St Joseph's R.C. Primary School
NewportPrimaryEnglish-mediumRoman Catholic208 pupils7.7% free meals
Significant improvement

Choosing and applying for a school in Newport

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 Newport 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 Newport secondaries take most of their pupils from a named group of primary schools.

Questions parents ask about schools in Newport

How many schools are there in Newport?

Newport has 60 open schools on School Signal, including 42 primary and 9 secondary schools, teaching about 26,772 pupils (school census 2025/26).

Which schools in Newport are in Estyn follow-up?

7 schools are in Estyn follow-up: Alway Primary (significant improvement), Lliswerry Primary School (significant improvement), Pillgwenlly C.P. School (significant improvement), Llanwern High School (significant improvement), St Joseph's R.C. Primary School (significant improvement). Follow-up means Estyn returns to check progress; it is worth reading the report before ruling a school in or out.

How many Welsh-medium schools are there in Newport?

5 schools in Newport teach mainly through Welsh and 0 teach in both languages - 8% 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 Newport?

No. Wales stopped publishing school league tables and Estyn no longer gives schools an overall grade, so any "top ten" list for Newport 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.