Machen Primary School, Newport

Machen 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 161 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 5% have additional learning needs (15% in 2020/21); and 11% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 15 pupils (Year 5) to 28 (Year 6).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £4,832 per pupil, against £3,618 in 2021-22. It carried forward £127k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its June 2023 inspection summarises Machen Primary School like this:

"Machen Primary is a warm, welcoming school that provides an engaging learning environment that supports all pupils. Staff are positive role models and share a vision to support pupils’ well-being. Staff and pupils have a sense of pride in their school and what it has to offer. The Welsh language is celebrated throughout the school day, and is a prominent feature in daily activities, formal and informal situations. Leaders know their school well and understand the actions they need to take to improve aspects of its work. They focus on developing pupils’ literacy, numeracy and digital skills effectively and most pupils make good progress during focused sessions. However, independent learning tasks do not always enable pupils to deepen their understanding and apply their skills across the curriculum."

"Teachers plan a good range of learning experiences and provide valuable interventions to support pupils with additional learning needs. They make effective use of assessment information to monitor the progress pupils make and to identify groups of pupils who may benefit from additional support. When given the opportunity, pupils enjoy talking about their work and the actions they follow to complete tasks. However, feedback does not always focus on the skills pupils are developing, and the actions they need to take to improve their work. The school is beginning to develop its curriculum and consider how they can use the locality and Wales to enrich pupils’ learning experiences. Teachers plan a range of engaging activities for pupils to develop their creative and problem-solving skills across the curriculum. However, the value and impact of these activities vary across the school, especially older pupils."

"The headteacher values the contributions governors, staff and pupils make. There is a strong culture of supportive and caring leadership. Leaders at all levels work effectively to provide the best they can for all pupils. They reflect honestly on pupils’ progress and accurately identify the school’s strengths and areas for development. Governors are valuable members of the school community and offer appropriate support and challenge to the school."

Estyn made 3 recommendations: (1) Improve opportunities to develop pupils’ deeper understanding and application of skills across the curriculum, especially when engaged in independent learning; (2) Ensure consistency in the quality and use of pupil feedback to support pupils to make improvements to their work; (3) Extend opportunities for pupils to develop their creative and problem-solving skills in purposeful, real-life activities.

The nearest other state primary schools to Machen Primary School are Graig-Y-Rhacca Primary and Nursery Community School (1.1 miles), Waunfawr Primary School (1.8 miles), Tyn - y - Wern Primary (1.8 miles) and Risca Primary School (1.9 miles).

The nearest railway station is Crosskeys Rail Station, about 1.9 miles away in a straight line.

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Dranllwyn Lane (after), 30 metres away.