Llanilltud Faerdref Primary, Pontypridd

Llanilltud Faerdref Primary 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 192 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

19% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 4% have additional learning needs (8% in 2020/21); and 13% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 19 pupils (Year 6) to 30 (Year 1).

Estyn's report on its January 2023 inspection summarises Llanilltud Faerdref Primary like this:

"Llanilltud Faerdref is a happy, caring school at the heart of the community it serves. Pupils enjoy coming to school. They feel safe and well cared for and have a sense of pride in their school. Pupils’ well-being is central to the school’s culture. Staff are highly committed in ensuring that they meet pupils’ well-being needs each day, in order to prepare them for learning. The curriculum provides a broad range of learning experiences and is well structured to ensure that most pupils make beneficial progress in their learning. Pupils benefit from a well-developed forest school area to learn bushcraft skills, such as recognising bird calls and making bird houses. In addition, staff have made good use of the new school build to create authentic learning opportunities and to develop mathematical skills such as area and perimeter."

"However, pupils do not always develop their independent learning skills well enough. This is because on occasions, teachers over-direct pupils’ learning activities. In addition, in around a half of classes, teachers promote pupils’ problem-solving skills well. However, this good practice is not consistent across the school. Over time, most pupils make good progress from their starting points in most areas of learning. Nearly all pupils develop a real love of mathematics and are keen to share their work and demonstrate their mathematical skills. In the majority of classes, strong teaching supports pupils to develop their reasoning and thinking skills well. However, this is not consistent across the school."

"Most pupils make strong progress in writing and reading. The development of pupils’ oracy skills is a strength of the school. Pupils with additional learning needs have clear development plans with relevant targets. However, adults do not always implement these plans as well as they could to support pupil progress. Leaders have worked well with stakeholders to create a shared vision, underpinned by the school’s moto ‘Care, share, believe, achieve’. This vision permeates every area of the school and is exemplified by the headteacher, staff and pupils. Leaders have developed worthwhile systems to support strong self-evaluation of school practice, identifying strengths and areas requiring further development. As a result, the school operates smoothly on a day-to-day basis, with a clear focus on well- chosen improvement priorities."

Estyn made 4 recommendations: (1) Improve pupils’ independent learning skills; (2) Use the best practice across the school to ensure that all teaching allows pupils to develop their reasoning, thinking and problem-solving skills; (3) Ensure that the classroom provision for additional learning needs takes good account of the targets within individual development plans; (4) Develop arrangements to promote healthy eating and drinking in line with the Welsh Government’s requirements.

In its own words: "Llanilltud Faerdref Primary School is a vibrant, inclusive and forward-thinking school located in the heart of Church Village, serving children aged 3 to 11 years. We are proud of our long-standing place within the local community and our commitment to providing high-quality learning experiences that enable every child to thrive."

From the headteacher's welcome: "On behalf of all the staff and governors I would like to welcome you and your child to Llanilltud Faerdref Primary School and look forward to a successful association over the coming years. Choosing the right school for your child is vitally important."

The nearest other state primary schools to Llanilltud Faerdref Primary are Gwauncelyn Primary (0.3 miles), Maesybryn Primary School (0.8 miles), Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Awel Taf (1.5 miles) and Gwaunmeisgyn Primary School (1.6 miles).

The nearest railway station is Trefforest Estate Rail Station, about 1.2 miles away in a straight line.

13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Post Office (outside), 130 metres away.