Rhiw Syr Dafydd Primary School, Blackwood

Rhiw Syr Dafydd 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 599 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

15% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 3% have additional learning needs (18% in 2020/21); and 5% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 61 pupils (Year 1) to 82 (Year 5).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £4,834 per pupil, against £3,420 in 2021-22. It carried forward £33k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its February 2024 inspection summarises Rhiw Syr Dafydd Primary School like this:

"Rhiw Syr Dafydd Primary School is a positive, community focused learning environment where the well-being and safeguarding of pupils and staff is a priority. School leaders and staff work to promote a vision that focuses on striving to ensure that all pupils are happy, healthy, and safe. As a result, pupils have high levels of well-being across the school. Nearly all pupils behave well in class and at playtimes and they are proud of their school. The working relationships between pupils as well as with staff demonstrate strong levels of trust and mutual respect. Senior leaders work well to evaluate the school’s strengths and identify areas for improvement."

"Senior leaders and staff work collaboratively to improve the quality of teaching and learning experiences and to ensure that pupils make progress. The school provides effective support for pupils’ social and emotional needs. Leaders monitor the impact of the school’s work and work with staff to ensure that pupils successfully engage in school life and learning. However, assessment and progress information are not used effectively enough to identify and plan for next steps in all pupils’ learning. Most pupils make good progress in developing their speaking and listening, reading, writing and mathematical skills. They talk enthusiastically about their learning."

"Teachers provide suitable feedback that encourages pupils to respond to questions or correct their work. However, pupils have limited opportunities to improve their work or influence what and how they learn. Generally, most lessons are teacher led and do not support pupils to become independent and reflective learners. The school makes good use of its extensive outdoor areas. Teachers provide many opportunities for pupils to take part in physical activity. The school offers an inclusive and extensive range of after-school clubs, which are well attended by pupils of all ages."

Estyn made 2 recommendations: (1) Further develop a whole-school shared understanding of progression to ensure that teachers’ planning and feedback meet the needs of all pupils; (2) Improve pupils’ independent learning skills, including opportunities for them to reflect on and make decisions about their learning, and use teacher feedback appropriately to understand their next steps in learning.

The nearest other state primary schools to Rhiw Syr Dafydd Primary School are Ysgol Gymraeg Cwm Derwen (0.2 miles), Crumlin High Level Primary School (1.4 miles), Blackwood Primary School (1.5 miles) and Libanus Primary School (1.5 miles).

The nearest railway station is Newbridge Rail Station, about 1.6 miles away in a straight line.

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Rhiw Syr Dafydd Primary School (outside), 60 metres away.