Best schools in Vale of Glamorgan: how they compare
Vale of Glamorgan has 61 open schools - 44 primary and 6 secondary among them - teaching about 22,519 pupils. 11% teach through Welsh or in both languages, and 4 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 Vale of Glamorgan 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
4 of 61 schools are in follow-up; Estyn returns to check their progress.
- No follow-up50 (82%)
- Significant improvement2 (3%)
- Special measures2 (3%)
- No report on file7 (11%)
Source: Estyn inspection reports
Language of teaching
11% Welsh-medium or dual language in Vale of Glamorgan, against 30% across Wales.
- Welsh-medium7 (11%)
- English-medium45 (74%)
- Not recorded9 (15%)
Source: Welsh Government school data
Schools by stage in Vale of Glamorgan
Click a stage to filter the list below.
- Primary44
- Middle2
- Secondary6
- Special1
Vale of Glamorgan against Wales
The typical (median) school in the council, set against the typical school in Wales.
- Pupils eligible for free meals (3-year)
- 15.2%18.6%
- Pupils with additional learning needs
- 6.7%8.1%
- Budget per pupil
- £5,606£5,801
Source: Welsh Government school census 2025/26 and school budgets 2026-27
What the numbers say about schools in Vale of Glamorgan
At the typical school in Vale of Glamorgan, 15.2% of pupils have been eligible for free school meals over the last three years, 3.4 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. 6.7% of pupils at the typical school have additional learning needs (1.4 points below the Welsh figure). Schools here receive about £5,606 per pupil, £195 below the Welsh figure. Pupil numbers have fallen by 2.7% since 2020/21. The largest school is Stanwell School, with 1,957 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 Vale of Glamorgan
Schools not in Estyn follow-up first, then the most recently inspected. This is not a ranking by quality.
61 of 61 schools shown
- No follow-up
Cogan Primary School
Vale of GlamorganPrimaryEnglish-medium212 pupils19.2% free meals
"Cogan Primary School is a highly inclusive school." Estyn, May 2026
- No follow-up
Barry Island Primary
Vale of GlamorganPrimaryEnglish-medium233 pupils19.5% free meals
"Barry Island Primary School is a welcoming and inclusive school with a strong ethos of aspiration and innovation." Estyn, May 2026
- No follow-up
High Street Primary School
Vale of GlamorganPrimaryEnglish-medium206 pupils28.4% free meals
"High Street Primary School is an inclusive and nurturing community where pupils benefit from a broad, authentic curriculum." Estyn, May 2026
- No follow-up
Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg
BarryMiddleWelsh-medium1,394 pupils10.7% free meals
"Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg is a caring and inclusive community where most pupils take pride in being Welsh and demonstrate very positive attitudes towards the Welsh language." Estyn, April 2026
- No follow-up
Llansannor C.I.W. Primary School
CowbridgePrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales214 pupils3.7% free meals
"Llansannor and Llanharry CiW Primary School provides a calm, welcoming and nurturing environment." Estyn, March 2026
- No follow-up
Cadoxton Community Primary
Vale of GlamorganPrimaryEnglish-medium436 pupils34.0% free meals
"Leaders, governors and staff at Cadoxton Primary School know their pupils, families and the local community well." Estyn, March 2026
- No follow-up
All Saints C.I.W. Primary School
Vale of GlamorganPrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales200 pupils6.3% free meals
"All Saints Church in Wales Primary School is a caring and supportive community where the well-being of pupils and staff holds a high priority." Estyn, March 2026
- No follow-up
St Nicholas C.I.W. Primary
CardiffPrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales154 pupils16.8% free meals
"St Nicholas CiW Primary School is a warm, welcoming and inclusive community where pupils feel safe, valued and respected." Estyn, February 2026
- No follow-up
Cowbridge Comprehensive School
CowbridgeMiddleEnglish-mediumNot available1,575 pupils6.2% free meals
"Cowbridge School is a caring and ambitious learning community where staff and pupils work together positively." Estyn, January 2026
- No follow-up
Colcot Primary School
Vale of GlamorganPrimaryEnglish-medium267 pupils36.6% free meals
"Colcot Primary is a welcoming and inclusive school that promotes equity and inclusion effectively." Estyn, October 2025
- No follow-up
Ysgol Sant Baruc
BarryPrimaryWelsh-medium366 pupils5.5% free meals
"Pupils and staff respect each other well." Estyn, October 2025
- No follow-up
Gladstone Primary School
BarryPrimaryEnglish-medium415 pupils31.1% free meals
"Gladstone Primary School is a nurturing and inclusive community that recognises the individual needs of pupils and their families well." Estyn, September 2025
- No follow-up
Palmerston Primary School
BarryPrimaryEnglish-medium215 pupils28.7% free meals
"Palmerston Primary School is a highly inclusive and nurturing environment that provides a high level of support to its families and community." Estyn, May 2025
- No follow-up
Ysgol Gynradd Gwaun Y Nant
BarryPrimaryWelsh-medium214 pupils23.8% free meals
"Ysgol Gwaun y Nant is an inclusive community that places consistent emphasis on the wellbeing and development of pupils, staff and the wider community." Estyn, March 2025
- No follow-up
Fairfield Primary School
PenarthPrimaryEnglish-medium236 pupils17.1% free meals
"Fairfield Primary School is a friendly and inclusive school where staff ensure that pupils feel happy and valued." Estyn, March 2025
- No follow-up
Oakfield Primary School
BarryPrimaryEnglish-medium149 pupils57.8% free meals
"Oak Field Primary School is a welcoming, happy, and inclusive school that is truly at the heart of its community." Estyn, February 2025
- No follow-up
Ysgol Y Deri
PenarthSpecialNot recorded523 pupils
"The vision at Ysgol y Deri is securely rooted in the values of ‘potential, opportunity and achievement’." Estyn, February 2025
- No follow-up
St Athan Primary School
BarryPrimaryEnglish-medium212 pupils28.3% free meals
"At St Athan Primary School, staff create a nurturing and supportive environment where pupils feel a sense of belonging." Estyn, October 2024
- No follow-up
Gwenfo C.I.W. Primary
CardiffPrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales227 pupils9.5% free meals
"Leaders and staff provide a warm, welcoming environment where pupils and their families feel supported and cared for." Estyn, October 2024
- No follow-up
Romilly Community Primary School
BarryPrimaryEnglish-medium647 pupils13.4% free meals
"Through exceptional leadership and the collective efforts of the school community, improvement at Romilly Primary School happens quickly." Estyn, June 2024
- No follow-up
Dinas Powys Primary School
Vale of GlamorganPrimaryEnglish-medium448 pupils15.2% free meals
"Dinas Powys Primary School is a welcoming, inclusive school where leaders and staff are committed to providing effective care and support for all pupils." Estyn, June 2024
- No follow-up
Rhws Primary School
BarryPrimaryEnglish-medium372 pupils15.2% free meals
"Leaders successfully place well-being at the heart of Rhws Primary School, fostering inclusivity and respect among pupils and staff and creating a calm and happy learning environment." Estyn, May 2024
- No follow-up
Evenlode C.P. School
Vale of GlamorganPrimaryEnglish-medium487 pupils2.2% free meals
"Evenlode Primary School is a caring and inclusive environment with positive relationships between pupils and staff." Estyn, April 2024
- No follow-up
St Andrews Major C.I.W. Primary School
Vale of GlamorganPrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales237 pupils6.8% free meals
"St. Andrew’s Major CIW Primary School is a happy, inclusive school that places a high priority on the well-being of its pupils." Estyn, February 2024
- No follow-up
Ysgol Gymraeg Dewi Sant
Llantwit MajorPrimaryWelsh-medium239 pupils5.0% free meals
"Ysgol Gymraeg Dewi Sant is a successful learning community that celebrates Welshness, courtesy and respect well and provides valuable experiences for pupils." Estyn, January 2024
- No follow-up
St Brides C.I.W. Primary School
Vale of GlamorganPrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales215 pupils
"St Brides Major C.I.W. Primary School is a highly inclusive and happy school where pupils treat each other, staff and visitors with politeness and respect." Estyn, December 2023
- No follow-up
Victoria Primary School
PenarthPrimaryEnglish-medium441 pupils7.9% free meals
"Most pupils in Victoria Primary School engage with their learning happily." Estyn, November 2023
- No follow-up
Albert C.P. School
PenarthPrimaryEnglish-medium423 pupils4.7% free meals
"Albert Primary School is a warm and caring school, where staff place a high priority on the well-being of its pupils." Estyn, July 2023
- No follow-up
St Joseph's R.C. Primary School
PenarthPrimaryEnglish-mediumRoman Catholic199 pupils13.5% free meals
"St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School is an inclusive and caring school that supports success for all pupils, and service to others, exceptionally well." Estyn, June 2023
- No follow-up
Y Bontfaen Primary
Vale of GlamorganPrimaryEnglish-medium287 pupils
"Staff at Y Bont Faen Primary School create a welcoming and inclusive community where pupils relish learning." Estyn, June 2023
- No follow-up
Llanfair C.P. School
Vale of GlamorganPrimaryEnglish-medium141 pupils7.5% free meals
"The learning environment created in Llanfair Primary School reflects the calm and peaceful surrounding countryside." Estyn, February 2023
- No follow-up
South Point Primary School
BarryPrimaryEnglish-medium131 pupils22.3% free meals
"Pupils’ well-being is at the heart of South Point Primary School." Estyn, November 2022
- No follow-up
Ysgol Pen Y Garth
PenarthPrimaryWelsh-medium307 pupils3.2% free meals
"Leaders have recently adopted a new motto for Ysgol Pen y Garth, namely ‘law yn llaw, llwyddiant a ddaw’ (‘together, we will succeed’)." Estyn, November 2022
- No follow-up
Pendoylan C.I.W. Primary School
Vale of GlamorganPrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales221 pupils
"Pupils at Pendoylan Church in Wales Primary School relish attending school." Estyn, October 2022
- No follow-up
Sully Primary School
PenarthPrimaryEnglish-medium385 pupils10.9% free meals
"Sully Primary School is a nurturing and vibrant place for pupils, staff and visitors." Estyn, July 2022
- No follow-up
Ysgol Iolo Morganwg
Y Bont-FaenPrimaryWelsh-medium199 pupils
"Ysgol Iolo Morgannwg provides a stimulating and happy learning environment that places a high priority on its pupils’ wellbeing." Estyn, June 2022
- No follow-up
Ysgol y Ddraig
Llantwit MajorPrimaryEnglish-medium218 pupils22.3% free meals
"The interim executive headteacher and head of school lead a fully committed staff who care for and support all pupils to achieve their best." Estyn, May 2022
- No follow-up
Llandough Primary
PenarthPrimaryEnglish-medium184 pupils14.5% free meals
"Pupils enjoy their time at Llandough Primary very much." Estyn, March 2022
- No follow-up
Whitmore High School
BarrySecondaryEnglish-medium1,084 pupils16.6% free meals
"Whitmore High School’s philosophy is grounded firmly on the ‘four pillars’ that provide the basis for developing the whole child and which form ‘The Whitmore Values’." Estyn, March 2022
- No follow-up
Headlands School
Vale of GlamorganNot recorded
- No follow-up
Stanwell School
The Vale of GlamorganSecondaryEnglish-medium1,957 pupils6.6% free meals
"Stanwell School offers pupils a stimulating learning environment and a wide range of opportunities for them to pursue their own interests." Estyn, February 2022
- No follow-up
Atlantic College
Llantwit MajorNot recorded
- No follow-up
Holton Primary School
BarryPrimaryEnglish-medium359 pupils32.0% free meals
- No follow-up
Jenner Park Primary
Vale of GlamorganPrimaryEnglish-medium203 pupils46.3% free meals
- No follow-up
Llangan C.P. School
Vale of GlamorganPrimaryEnglish-medium139 pupils5.8% free meals
- No follow-up
Peterston Super Ely C.I.W. Primary
CardiffPrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales123 pupils14.1% free meals
"Peterson Super Ely Primary School is a happy, inclusive school that places a high priority on the well-being of its pupils." Estyn
- No follow-up
St David's C.I.W. Primary School
Vale of GlamorganPrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales178 pupils6.0% free meals
- No follow-up
St Illtyd Primary School
Llantwit MajorPrimaryEnglish-medium354 pupils19.3% free meals
- No follow-up
Wick Marcross C.I.W. Primary School
CowbridgePrimaryEnglish-mediumChurch in Wales141 pupils11.7% free meals
- No follow-up
Ysgol Sant Curig
BarryPrimaryWelsh-medium430 pupils17.0% free meals
- No report on file
Awen Project
Dinas PowysNot recorded
- No report on file
Beechwood College
SullyNot recorded
- No report on file
Bute Cottage Nursery School
PenarthNot recorded
- No report on file
Cogan Nursery School
PenarthNot recorded
- No report on file
St Cyres Comprehensive School
The Vale of GlamorganSecondaryEnglish-medium1,246 pupils15.8% free meals
- No report on file
St Helen's Catholic Primary School
BarryPrimaryEnglish-mediumRoman Catholic330 pupils12.4% free meals
- No report on file
Y Daith
BarryNot recorded
- Standards not met (independent)
Westbourne Schools
PenarthNot recorded
"Westbourne School fosters a caring and inclusive environment where pupils feel valued, supported and proud to belong to a diverse community." Estyn, May 2026
- Significant improvement
St Richard Gwyn R.C. High School
BarrySecondaryEnglish-mediumRoman Catholic840 pupils18.3% free meals
"St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School is a welcoming and inclusive community where the Catholic ethos strongly underpins school life." Estyn, May 2025
- Special measures
Llantwit Major School
Llantwit MajorSecondaryEnglish-medium915 pupils19.1% free meals
"Although staff at Llantwit Major School care for their pupils there are important shortcomings in many aspects of the school’s work." Estyn, February 2026
- Special measures
Pencoedtre High School
BarrySecondaryEnglish-medium991 pupils39.5% free meals
"Pencoedtre High School is a caring school where most teachers nurture positive relationships with pupils." Estyn, November 2022
Choosing and applying for a school in Vale of Glamorgan
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 Vale of Glamorgan 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 Vale of Glamorgan secondaries take most of their pupils from a named group of primary schools.
Questions parents ask about schools in Vale of Glamorgan
How many schools are there in Vale of Glamorgan?
Vale of Glamorgan has 61 open schools on School Signal, including 44 primary and 6 secondary schools, teaching about 22,519 pupils (school census 2025/26).
Which schools in Vale of Glamorgan are in Estyn follow-up?
4 schools are in Estyn follow-up: St Richard Gwyn R.C. High School (significant improvement), Llantwit Major School (special measures), Pencoedtre High School (special measures). 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 Vale of Glamorgan?
7 schools in Vale of Glamorgan teach mainly through Welsh and 0 teach in both languages - 11% 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 Vale of Glamorgan?
No. Wales stopped publishing school league tables and Estyn no longer gives schools an overall grade, so any "top ten" list for Vale of Glamorgan 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.