Coed-Y-Brain Primary School, Caerphilly

Coed-Y-Brain 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 213 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

23% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 10% have additional learning needs (28% in 2020/21); 4% are learning English as an additional language; and 10% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 19 pupils (Year 1) to 42 (Year 5).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £6,360 per pupil, against £4,518 in 2021-22. It carried forward £23k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its July 2023 inspection summarises Coed-Y-Brain Primary School like this:

"Leaders and staff at Coed-y-Brain Primary School work with dedication to create a positive and caring learning community. The pupils thoroughly enjoy coming to school and are encouraged to be proud of themselves and celebrate who they are. This develops a strong mutual respect between all pupils and staff. Pupils feel safe in school and are confident that they can speak to staff if they are concerned or worried. During their time in school, most pupils make good progress including those with additional learning needs (ALN) and those who attend the specialist resource base (SRB). All staff support them successfully to develop positive attitudes to learning and, as a result, pupils’ collaboration in class activities and around the school is a notable feature. Pupils’ oracy skills across the school are a strength."

"Most pupils make good progress in developing their literacy and numeracy skills and use them confidently in other areas of learning. Pupils’ progress in developing their Welsh oracy skills is appropriate but they do not develop their digital skills well enough as they move through the school. The whole-school approach to plan and deliver the Curriculum for Wales is successful. Staff provide pupils with interesting opportunities to build on their knowledge and understanding. Teachers plan interesting lessons to engage nearly all pupils. However, teaching on the whole, is over directed and there are limited opportunities for pupils to become independent learners. In addition, opportunities to develop the curiosity and creativity of many of the younger pupils in the outdoor environment are underdeveloped."

"Most pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. They show respect to their friends and staff. There is a strong culture of inclusion across the school, where pupils are given equal opportunity to be involved in all aspects of school life. There is a strong sense of teamwork at the school, and the headteacher, senior leaders, staff and Governors work together positively. Leaders have placed well- being at the heart of the school."

Estyn made 3 recommendations: (1) Improve pupils’ digital skills; (2) Develop pupils’ independent skills; (3) Develop the outdoor provision for pupils under seven years old.

The nearest other state primary schools to Coed-Y-Brain Primary School are Cwm Ifor Primary School (1 mile), Plasyfelin Primary (1.4 miles), Ysgol G.G. Caerffili (1.4 miles) and Hendre Primary School (1.4 miles).

The nearest railway station is Llanbradach Rail Station, about 260 metres away (roughly a 3-minute walk).

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Coed y Brain (opp 57), 190 metres away.