Cross Hands C.P. School, Carmarthenshire

Cross Hands C.P. School is a Welsh-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 127 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

10% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 7% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 8 pupils (Year 3) to 19 (Year 4).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £5,332 per pupil, against £3,771 in 2021-22. It carried forward £10k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its July 2022 inspection summarises Cross Hands C.P. School like this:

"Cross Hands C.P. School is a happy and caring community where caring for pupils’ wellbeing provides a firm foundation for all of its work. The school is federated with Drefach Primary School and both schools work together closely and successfully. The headteacher, leaders and members of the governing body have an effective overview of progress across both schools and they allocate resources effectively. Staff at both schools are employed by the federation and, as a result, there is beneficial flexibility that facilitates close co-operation. For example, teachers work together closely across the federation in leading aspects of the Curriculum for Wales. Self-evaluation procedures are rigorous and allow leaders to target priorities across the federation."

"Most pupils make sound progress in terms of developing their basic skills. They listen to each other maturely and speak with increasing confidence by using local dialect naturally during their activities. However, they have a tendency to use English with their friends in less formal situations. Pupils’ reading and writing skills are developing well and older pupils apply their skills successfully in both languages. Across the school, there is a close and supportive working relationship between staff and pupils. Teachers plan a rich range of activities that nurture increasing independence among the pupils. Teachers question effectively to encourage thinking and to give pupils an opportunity to develop their ideas."

"Staff use technology skilfully to facilitate co-operation with Drefach Primary School. The school is a central part of its community and pupils learn a great deal about their area through their relationship with local elderly people. The school has a strong culture of safeguarding and a caring ethos towards all pupils. However, the current arrangements for staff parking on the site and for the route for pupils and parents to access the school playground at the beginning and end of the day are not appropriate. Ju ly 2022"

Estyn made 3 recommendations: (1) Improve pupils’ oral Welsh skills; (2) Ensure an appropriate level of challenge for all pupils; (3) Respond to the health and safety issue that was identified during the inspection.

The nearest other state primary schools to Cross Hands C.P. School are Cefneithin C.P. (0.6 miles), Ysgol Gynradd Gorslas (0.9 miles), Llechyfedach C.P. School (1 mile) and Ysgol Gynradd Y Tymbl (1.3 miles).

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Cross Hands C.P. School.

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Cross Hands Primary School, 80 metres away.