Archdeacon Griffiths C.I.W. Primary School, Powys

Archdeacon Griffiths C.I.W. Primary School 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 155 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 9% have additional learning needs (17% in 2020/21).

Year groups range from 15 pupils (Reception) to 31 (Year 5).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £5,119 per pupil, against £4,110 in 2021-22. It carried forward £82k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its October 2024 inspection summarises Archdeacon Griffiths C.I.W. Primary School like this:

"Archdeacon Griffiths School provides a supportive and nurturing environment where pupils feel safe and valued. Staff and leaders work diligently to develop positive relationships across the school. As a result, pupils behave very well, feel safe in school and demonstrate respect toward their peers, staff, and visitors. While most pupils begin with strong oracy, numeracy, and social skills, a lack of support and challenge in classes hinders the progress of a minority. The school supports pupils with additional learning needs effectively. The school provides valuable outdoor learning experiences, especially for younger pupils, helping them learn independently through engaging tasks. However, as they move through the school pupils have too few opportunities to develop problem- solving skills and independent learning strategies. Teachers question pupils helpfully and provide beneficial verbal feedback that supports them well. However, pupils often spend too much time listening passively in lessons and this limits their learning and slows their progress."

"Teachers do not always provide activities that challenge or support pupils well enough. Most pupils communicate confidently and have strong reading and oracy skills. However, they have limited opportunities to use these skills in leadership roles or be involved in decision-making. Many pupils writing skills develop appropriately. However, the feedback they receive does not help them improve their spelling and punctuation well enough. Many pupils make sound progress in developing their early mathematical skills and they build on their early understanding of number effectively as they move through the school. However, mathematics teaching does not help pupils to develop strong enough understanding of underlying concepts. Many pupils’ digital skills are strong. Leaders are developing the curriculum in line with national priorities."

"Their development of expressive arts is particularly creative. Teachers promote an appreciation of Welsh culture and identity, for instance through visits to local places and the frequent use of the Welsh language. However, opportunities for pupils to develop and awareness of different relationships and sexualities is limited. While school leadership work effectively to develop an inclusive culture at the school, they do not consistently evaluate teaching and pupils’ learning well enough. They do not always work systematically or well enough to ensure that improvement strategies are effective in bringing about positive change. Governors support school leaders diligently and are working to develop a better knowledge of the progress that pupils make and the school’s teaching and learning priorities. However, their understanding of these areas is currently underdeveloped."

Estyn made 4 recommendations: (1) Ensure that leaders at all levels undertake their roles effectively to drive improvements consistently; (2) Improve the quality of teaching so that pupils make better progress in developing their writing and mathematics skills; (3) Evaluate learning and teaching more robustly and address identified shortcomings rigorously and systematically; (4) Ensure that pupils have more effective and consistent opportunities to develop their problem-solving skills and their independence.

Estyn follow-up status: Significant Improvement.

In its own words: "Archdeacon Griffiths Primary School is a Church Aided School, which serves a wide area in the Wye Valley including the villages of Boughrood, Llanstephan, Erwood, Crickadarn, Gwenddwr, Llandefalle and Llyswen. As a Voluntary Aided Church School, we provide an education based on Christian principles."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to our lovely school! I am very proud to have been appointed as Headteacher at such a lovely school. Choosing a school for your child is one of the most important decisions that you will make. Visits to the school are most welcome."

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Archdeacon Griffiths C.I.W. Primary School.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Griffin Inn (outside), 230 metres away.