Baden Powell Primary School, Cardiff

Baden Powell 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 276 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

47% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 12% have additional learning needs (31% in 2020/21); 13% are learning English as an additional language; and 40% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 27 pupils (Year 1) to 48 (Year 6).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £6,790 per pupil, against £3,889 in 2021-22. It carried forward £80k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its June 2026 inspection summarises Baden Powell Primary School like this:

"Baden Powell Primary School is a welcoming and inclusive school where pupils feel valued, safe and supported. Strong relationships between staff, pupils and families are at the heart of the school’s work. Leaders create a caring and respectful environment that helps pupils develop confidence and a strong sense of belonging. Staff work closely with parents and carers, which supports pupils’ learning and has contributed to improving attendance. Most pupils make good progress from their starting points. The school places a strong emphasis on developing literacy and numeracy skills, and this helps pupils in their work across the curriculum. The development of pupils’ reading is a strength."

"Pupils develop secure skills from an early age and grow into confident readers who can talk thoughtfully about the books they enjoy. Writing is taught systematically, enabling most pupils to write effectively for a range of purposes and audiences. Most pupils develop strong mathematical skills and apply these successfully in meaningful contexts. Many pupils build a secure range of digital skills as they move through the school. Teachers ensure that classrooms provide rich opportunities for learning, particularly for younger pupils, where well-resourced indoor and outdoor areas encourage curiosity and exploration. Staff support pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) effectively, ensuring that they receive help tailored to their individual needs. The work of the specialist resource base (SRB) is effective, providing a calm and nurturing environment where pupils thrive."

"Teaching is generally effective, with staff using questioning well to check pupils’ understanding and address misconceptions. Overall, pupils do not have enough regular opportunities to improve and refine their written work. In a minority of lessons, activities are directed too closely by adults, limiting opportunities for pupils to make choices, develop their own ideas and apply their thinking skills independently. Opportunities for pupils to influence what and how they learn are at an early stage of development. Leadership across the school is strong and purposeful. Leaders and governors understand the school’s priorities well and collaborate effectively to support continuous improvement. They have a strong focus on supporting pupils to mitigate the impact of poverty."

Estyn made 2 recommendations: (1) Increase opportunities for pupils to direct their own learning and develop their independence; (2) Ensure that feedback identifies next steps in learning and that teachers provide pupils with suitable opportunities to respond and improve their work.

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are a busy but friendly school, with lots going on. Please see our school prospectus or ask the school office for any additional information needed."

The nearest other state primary schools to Baden Powell Primary School are St Albans RC Primary School (0.2 miles), Moorland Primary School (0.4 miles), Ysgol Glan Morfa (0.4 miles) and Stacey Primary School (0.7 miles).

The nearest railway station is Cardiff Queen Street Rail Station, about 1.2 miles away in a straight line.

16 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Mervyn Road (opp 14), 90 metres away.