Penygarn Primary School, Pontypool

Penygarn 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 351 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

52% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 12% have additional learning needs (25% in 2020/21); and 5% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 31 pupils (Reception) to 50 (Year 6).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £5,687 per pupil, against £4,040 in 2021-22. It carried forward £211k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its January 2024 inspection summarises Penygarn Primary School like this:

"Penygarn Primary School is a caring community where pupils feel safe, happy and make effective progress. Most pupils forge positive relationships with their peers and staff alike and demonstrate respect for each other. They enjoy coming to school and are enthusiastic about their learning. Pupils know that staff expect them to behave well and to be considerate to everyone in the school and the community. The school places a strong emphasis on supporting the well-being of all. There are strong relationships with parents and families and the school provides an effective range of support in collaboration with outside agencies."

"Provision for pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) is highly beneficial. There is a strong culture of safeguarding across the school. The headteacher is effective in her role and provides strong and caring leadership. She knows the school well. She is supported well by the senior leaders and most staff. The team works purposefully alongside the governing body to secure improvements for the school."

"Together, they understand the school’s strengths and identify accurately most of the areas for development. However, some important areas for improvement are not prioritised, such as the need to address inconsistencies in the quality of teaching. Staff offer pupils a variety of relevant learning experiences, which help to keep pupils interested in their learning. As a result, many pupils, including those with ALN, engage well with their learning, make good progress and achieve well. The school’s curriculum takes account of pupils’ interests. Teaching assistants and many teachers are skilful and support pupils to develop a range of skills well."

Estyn made 2 recommendations: (1) Address inconsistencies in the quality of teaching; (2) Sharpen self-evaluation so that improvement focuses on pupils.

In its own words: "On behalf of all the teaching and support staff, I would like to welcome you to our school web-site. It is designed to give you a glimpse of our school and is packed with information that parents/carers will need to know."

Coming up: an admissions event on Friday 13 November 2026 and an admissions event on Friday 15 January 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

The nearest other state primary schools to Penygarn Primary School are George Street Primary School (0.5 miles), Padre Pio RC Primary (0.6 miles), Cwmffrwdoer Primary School (1.3 miles) and New Inn Primary School (1.6 miles).

The nearest railway station is Pontypool & New Inn Rail Station, about 1.2 miles away in a straight line.

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Penygarn School (outside), 150 metres away.