Croesyceiliog School, Torfaen

Croesyceiliog 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 1178 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

18% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 7% have additional learning needs (25% in 2020/21); 2% are learning English as an additional language; and 7% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 228 pupils (Year 11) to 240 (Year 7).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £6,754 per pupil, against £4,860 in 2021-22. It carried forward £291k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its September 2025 inspection summarises Croesyceiliog School like this:

"Croesyceiliog School is a welcoming and supportive community to which pupils and staff are proud to belong. Positive relationships are a notable strength of the school and leaders prioritise staff and pupil well-being successfully. The range of carefully planned support to meet the social and emotional needs of all pupils, including those with additional learning needs (ALN), is a particular strength. In many instances, carefully planned teaching helps pupils make at least sound progress. In these lessons, pupils behave well, engage with their learning and sustain their concentration. In a few particularly effective lessons, pupils make strong progress. In the few lessons where teachers do not provide enough challenge or plan effectively to meet pupils’ needs, pupils do not make as much progress as they should."

"Leaders have made sound progress in ensuring there are valuable opportunities for pupils to develop their literacy skills across the curriculum, in particular reading. However, the opportunities for them to develop their numeracy and digital skills are at an earlier stage of development. Overall, pupils develop their language skills in Welsh lessons suitably, although they have too few opportunities to practise these across the school. In addition, opportunities to learn about Welsh heritage and culture are at an early stage of development. The school has developed successfully a clear and shared vision for its curriculum, designed in consultation with pupils, parents, and partners. The curriculum is enriched by a wide variety of extra-curricular activities, trips, and creative opportunities that support pupils’ personal, social and cultural development well. Leaders have made beneficial improvements in important areas of the school’s work, including provision for literacy and rates of attendance."

"The attendance of pupils eligible for free school meals has improved year on year and compares favourably to levels in similar schools. Leaders have developed a strong culture of teamwork and collaboration. Strengthened self-evaluation processes help leaders to understand the school’s most important strengths and areas for development, though their evaluation does not always focus sharply enough on the impact of provision on pupil progress. Governors are proactive, reflective and well informed about the work of the school. As a result, they provide leaders with worthwhile support and challenge."

Estyn made 3 recommendations: (1) Sharpen self-evaluation processes so that leaders focus precisely on the impact of teaching on pupils’ learning and progress; (2) Ensure that pupils have authentic and suitably challenging opportunities to apply their numeracy and digital skills in relevant subjects; (3) Increase opportunities for pupils to practise and develop their Welsh language skills throughout the school and extend their appreciation of Welsh heritage and culture.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Croesyceiliog School are Cwmbran High School (2 miles), West Monmouth Comprehensive School (3.2 miles), Newport High School (3.4 miles) and Caerleon Comprehensive School (3.6 miles).

The nearest railway station is Cwmbran Rail Station, about 710 metres away (roughly a 9-minute walk).

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Plantation Drive (after), 140 metres away.