Hendreforgan Community Primary School, Gilfach Goch

Hendreforgan Community 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 221 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

30% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 4% have additional learning needs (12% in 2020/21); and 5% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 12 pupils (Reception) to 40 (Year 2).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £4,772 per pupil, against £3,535 in 2021-22. It carried forward £41k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its September 2025 inspection summarises Hendreforgan Community Primary School like this:

"Hendreforgan is a happy, caring community school, where all staff treat pupils with high levels of care, respect and kindness. As a result, pupils engage positively with staff and their friends and show support and understanding towards each other. The strength of these relationships means that nearly all pupils feel safe in school and behave well in classrooms, at break times and when moving around the school. Support for pupils’ well-being is a strength and is actively promoted and prioritised through a range of whole school approaches. For example, through a range of school- based programmes most pupils develop their self-esteem and social skills well, to help them manage their feelings and to promote empathy and respect. This enables nearly all pupils to develop high levels of resilience, perseverance and positive attitudes towards their learning and school life."

"The headteacher provides very effective leadership for the school. He has a clear vision which is shared by all staff, pupils, parents and governors, ensuring that Hendreforgan Community Primary School is a happy and inclusive school where everyone achieves to the best of their ability. During their time in school, most pupils, including those with additional learning needs (ALN) make good progress in their learning. Most pupils develop their oracy skills effectively so that they become confident speakers by the time they leave school. Most pupils develop their reading, writing and mathematical skills suitably. Staff model Welsh regularly, and pupils understand and respond well to simple classroom instructions and questions."

"However, pupils do not make consistently strong progress in developing their Welsh vocabulary and speaking skills. Senior leaders have established effective systems to assess and track pupils’ progress and well-being. Staff use this information well to identify needs quickly and check the impact that support has on reducing barriers to learning. The school’s approach to self-evaluation and school improvement has ensured that there has been purposeful change that has had a positive impact on teaching and learning and well-being in a short period of time."

Estyn made 1 recommendation: (1) Strengthen the provision for the development of pupils’ Welsh language skills.

The nearest other state primary schools to Hendreforgan Community Primary School are Abercerdin Primary School (1 mile), Ysgol G.G. Tonyrefail (1.7 miles), Cwmlai Primary School (1.9 miles) and Williamstown Primary School (2 miles).

The nearest railway station is Tonypandy Rail Station, about 2.7 miles away in a straight line.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hendreforgan Primary School (opposite), 40 metres away.