Markham Primary School, Blackwood

Markham 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 196 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

45% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 5% have additional learning needs (30% in 2020/21).

Year groups range from 14 pupils (Year 3) to 31 (Year 1).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £5,435 per pupil, against £3,782 in 2021-22. It carried forward £152k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its November 2022 inspection summarises Markham Primary School like this:

"Markham Primary School provides a safe, nurturing and vibrant place for pupils and staff, where pupils are proud to be a part of such a supportive learning community. Staff are ambitious for their pupils and help them develop positive attitudes to learning. There is a strong focus on developing literacy, numeracy and digital skills in all classes. Teachers and support staff work effectively together to make sure that all pupils achieve well in using these skills, including those with additional needs. A strength of the school is how leaders, staff and pupils promote the school’s Welsh identity and language. The school has created a stimulating and resourceful learning environment in all classes which inspire pupils to engage well with their learning. The outside learning space however is underdeveloped."

"The ‘RISE’ curriculum approach enables all pupils to make very good progress from their baselines, providing a strong and embedded system for ensuring effective differentiation across the school. Pupils are empowered to make informed decisions and set their own level of challenge. This approach provides pupils with ownership of their learning whilst ensuring they fully understand where they are, what their next steps are and how they can be effectively challenged. Pupils have a strong voice in the school and contribute well to a variety of groups and committees, where their influence has had a positive impact on school life. Nearly all pupils enjoy attending school, however attendance has slipped due to the pandemic and holidays being deferred. The school has successfully established and embedded a comprehensive programme of support. This includes parental and family engagement as well as developing a wide range of agency and community involvement."

"It provides a ‘team around the school’ approach, which effectively meets the needs and enriches the lives of many pupils and their families. The headteacher provides strong and supportive leadership. She engages and empowers teachers and support staff to work and learn together. All staff see school improvement as everyone’s responsibility. Governors are knowledgeable about the work of the school. They know the community well and are supportive of the school’s actions to raise pupils’ aspirations."

Estyn made 2 recommendations: (1) Improve outdoor provision to enrich all pupils’ learning experiences; (2) Improve attendance.

The nearest other state primary schools to Markham Primary School are Aberbargoed Primary School (1.1 miles), Ysgol Bro Sannan (1.1 miles), St Gwladys Bargoed School (1.3 miles) and Whiterose Primary (1.6 miles).

The nearest railway station is Brithdir Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Markham Primary School (opposite), 80 metres away.