Alway Primary, Newport

Alway Primary is an English-medium school in Wales. Welsh schools are inspected by Estyn rather than Ofsted, and its latest report is published on Estyn's website.

It had 395 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

48% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 16% have additional learning needs (22% in 2020/21); 9% are learning English as an additional language; and 32% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 36 pupils (Reception) to 53 (Year 1).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £6,051 per pupil, against £4,278 in 2021-22. It carried forward £174k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its February 2026 inspection summarises Alway Primary like this:

"The school is a caring and nurturing community with a strong safeguarding culture and positive professional relationships between staff and pupils. Following a period of leadership turbulence, the new headteacher and leadership team work well together to bring a fresh focus and drive. However, currently, the quality of teaching and learning is inconsistent. In around half of lessons the pace of learning is too slow. In general, teachers plan indoor provision for the younger pupils well, through engaging experiences that support early development effectively. Staff build warm relationships, though a few miss opportunities to extend pupils’ language and thinking. Activities in the outside areas do not always promote pupils’ independence well enough. However, across the school, teaching and learning does not engage or enthuse all pupils."

"This is because the curriculum does not meet pupils’ needs well enough. In around a half of lessons for older pupils, there are clear learning intentions and high expectations. Where practice is weaker, learning lacks clarity and pupils become passive. Pupils engage well where lessons include an element of practical learning, for example in science, dance and PE, and in the woodland area. Leaders have recently improved the provision for reading, and this has begun to accelerate pupils’ progress. However, too few pupils enjoy reading for pleasure. Pupils develop their digital skills suitably across the school. There are limited opportunities for pupils to speak and listen to the Welsh language."

"Individual development plans are appropriate, both in mainstream classes and in the learning resource bases, but teachers do not always address pupils’ identified targets in daily teaching. Teachers do not always use assessment information well enough to ensure that learning challenges pupils of all abilities. Although leaders are beginning to address key priorities and strengthen accountability, their work to evaluate the improvements is at an early stage. Governors are supportive but overly positive in their evaluations. Despite leaders’ work to improve attendance and punctuality, this remains a significant concern, particularly for pupils eligible for free school meals. Overall, while the school has clear strengths in care, inclusion and safeguarding, leaders rightly recognise the need to improve the quality and consistency of classroom practice, to improve pupils’ engagement and progress."

Estyn made 4 recommendations: (1) Ensure that teaching across the school consistently meets the needs of all pupils; (2) Improve attendance; (3) Develop the curriculum to meet pupils’ needs; (4) Ensure that leaders at all levels evaluate the impact of school improvement activity on how well they have improved pupils’ outcomes.

Estyn follow-up status: Significant Improvement.

In its own words: "Located in the eastern part of Newport, Alway Primary School was initially constructed in 1952 as two separate schools for infants and juniors. These schools were merged in 2002. Currently, the school has an enrollment of 400 students, including a 20-place Learning Support Centre and a Nursery."

The nearest other state primary schools to Alway Primary are Somerton Primary School (0.3 miles), Lliswerry Primary School (0.5 miles), Ringland Primary (0.6 miles) and St Patrick's R.C. Primary School (0.7 miles).

The nearest railway station is Newport (S Wales) Rail Station, about 2 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Alway Primary School (outside), 50 metres away.