Penrhys Primary School, Ferndale

Penrhys 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 78 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

64% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 31% have additional learning needs (44% in 2020/21).

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

Estyn's most recent full inspection report on Penrhys Primary School dates from 2026.

Estyn made 5 recommendations: (1) raise the standards of pupils’ speaking and writing skills and their use of both languages across the curriculum;; (2) raise standards in the national teacher assessments for seven and eleven year olds and particularly those achieved by the more able pupils;; (3) further develop pupils’ involvement in their own targets for learning and in evaluating their own progress;; (4) use the information which the school assembles to identify clearly what the school needs to do to raise standards further and to review systematically the progress being made; and; (5) continue to extend the role of the governing body in setting the strategic direction of the school, in judging the standards being achieved and in acting as a critical, yet supportive friend. What happens next? recommendations. Estyn will monitor the school’s progress. Main findings Key Question 1: How good are outcomes? Adequate Standards: Adequate The majority of children enter the school with very limited basic skills. Nearly all make good progress in the Foundation Phase and achieve the levels it would be reasonable to expect of them by its end.

From the headteacher's welcome: "Here you will discover lots of information about what is going on in school, the latest updates from each of our classes as well as the all important dates for your diary. We are proud of our school and the village we live in. We are blessed with the most amazing views from our school site."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, choir, coding and art.

The nearest other state primary schools to Penrhys Primary School are Tylorstown Primary School (0.4 miles), Pontygwaith Primary School (0.5 miles), Pontrhondda Primary School (0.7 miles) and Ysgol G.G. Bodringallt (1.1 miles).

The nearest railway station is Llwynypia Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Penrhys Primary School (outside), 80 metres away.