Montgomery C.I.W. School, Powys

Montgomery C.I.W. 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 115 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

10% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 7% have additional learning needs (10% in 2020/21); and 5% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 12 pupils (Year 6) to 20 (Year 3).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £4,794 per pupil, against £3,890 in 2021-22. It carried forward £20k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its February 2026 inspection summarises Montgomery C.I.W. School like this:

"The headteacher provides strong, compassionate leadership that fosters an inclusive ethos where pupils, staff and families feel a deep sense of belonging. Staff know pupils well and prioritise their well-being, helping to create warm, respectful relationships across the school. Governors engage actively in monitoring and have a secure understanding of the school’s strengths. The school has a systematic approach to teaching reading. This helps most pupils to develop as enthusiastic, fluent readers by the time they leave school. However, the approach to teaching writing is less consistent, and this limits how well pupils build their skills over time."

"Pupils’ digital competence is a strength, with nearly all older pupils applying their skills confidently across the curriculum. The recently introduced mathematics scheme is beginning to improve progression and consistency in the quality of teaching and learning. This ensures that many pupils develop secure early mathematical skills. However, they do not build on these skills consistently well over time. While many teachers plan engaging learning activities and use questioning well to encourage pupils to explain their thinking, they do not provide sufficient opportunity for pupils to use and apply these skills. Pupils benefit from a rich and authentic range of learning experiences that promote strong creative skills and deepen their understanding of Welsh culture."

"Work with local and Welsh artists, alongside the prominent celebration of pupils’ achievements, fosters a strong sense of pride and belonging. The school promotes Welsh consistently well. Purposeful opportunities led by a confident pupil voice group ensure that, by the end of year six, most pupils develop secure and confident Welsh oracy skills. Provision for pupils with additional learning needs is a strength. Skilled staff provide tailored support that helps pupils to overcome barriers to learning."

Estyn made 3 recommendations: (1) Strengthen self-evaluation and school improvement processes to focus more precisely on the quality of teaching and its impact on learning; (2) Ensure that teaching provides appropriate challenge and enables pupils to apply their literacy and numeracy skills across the curriculum; (3) Ensure that provision supports the progressive development of pupils’ skills in mathematics and writing.

From the headteacher's welcome: "Croeso y Ysgol Trefaldwyn. At Montgomery Church in Wales school, we pride ourselves on our sense of family and community. As a Church in Wales school our links to St Nicholas Church and the Diocese of St Asaph are important to us."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school care, from £2.00 per day.

The nearest other state primary schools to Montgomery C.I.W. School are Chirbury CofE VC Primary School & Busy Bees Nursery (2.6 miles, 56% reading, 56% maths); Forden C.I.W. School (2.7 miles); Churchstoke C.P. School (3.4 miles); and Berriew C.P. School (3.7 miles).

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Montgomery C.I.W. School.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Clive House (near), 140 metres away.