Glyncoed Primary School, Blaenau Gwent

Glyncoed 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 367 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

24% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 2% have additional learning needs (9% in 2020/21); and 4% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 41 pupils (Year 1) to 45 (Year 2).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £5,617 per pupil, against £4,282 in 2021-22. It carried forward £37k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its February 2025 inspection summarises Glyncoed Primary School like this:

"The school’s support and provision for pupils’ well-being is a strength. Staff have strong relationships with pupils and this commitment to their care and well-being helps pupils, including those from socio-economically disadvantaged contexts and those with additional learning needs (ALN), to make progress. The behaviour of pupils is good, and they have a positive attitude to school. Most pupils make a strong improvements in speaking and listening from a young age. The school fosters a strong culture of reading, and, by Year 6, many pupils develop effective skills and are confident readers. Overall, most pupils make good progress in developing their mathematical and digital competency skills, but the provision to develop pupils’ skills across the curriculum is underdeveloped."

"The school’s curriculum reflects the principles of Curriculum for Wales well and considers the history of the local area. Teachers plan appropriate projects that encourage inquiry. As a result, nearly all pupils actively engage with their learning successfully. Classrooms are calm spaces that support pupils to develop their independence. This ensures that pupils across the school are engaged in their learning well. Most teachers use verbal feedback well to help pupils reflect on their work and as a result most make good progress in understanding what they need to do to improve."

"Leaders work together with the governing body to share a clear vision for the school and develop an inclusive culture. They understand the needs of the community and ensure a strong focus on well-being that underpins the work of the school. Senior leaders have a good awareness of the progress made by different groups of learners, including those with ALN and those eligible for free school meals. This ensures that those vulnerable pupils make good progress from their starting points. Leaders regularly monitor pupils’ outcomes, using direct observations and data analysis, to build a good understanding of strengths and areas for improvement. However, monitoring activities aimed at evaluating the impact of teaching on pupil progress are not as well developed."

Estyn made 2 recommendations: (1) Sharpen monitoring and evaluation to focus on learning and progress; (2) Broaden and deepen learning experiences to ensure that pupils develop and apply their skills and knowledge in purposeful contexts across the curriculum.

The nearest other state primary schools to Glyncoed Primary School are Beaufort Hill Primary School (0.5 miles), Willowtown Primary School (0.7 miles), Rhos y Fedwen Primary (0.7 miles) and All Saints R.C. Primary School (1.1 miles).

The nearest railway station is Ebbw Vale Town Rail Station, about 1.1 miles away in a straight line.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Glyncoed Primary School (outside), 70 metres away.