St Bernadette's R.C. Primary School, Cardiff

St Bernadette's R.C. 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 242 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

13% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 6% have additional learning needs (14% in 2020/21); 19% are learning English as an additional language; and 31% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 29 pupils (Year 2) to 30 (Year 1).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £4,653 per pupil, against £3,867 in 2021-22. It carried forward £41k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its December 2022 inspection summarises St Bernadette's R.C. Primary School like this:

"Pupils at St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School thoroughly enjoy coming to school and are very proud to be members of its community. ‘Learn, Live, Believe’ clearly reflects the aims of the school and underpins its Christian values . Nearly all pupils and staff feel safe and valued. The headteacher and the staff have created a very happy environment that welcomes all pupils. Most pupils develop their knowledge and skills well. They make strong progress in developing their literacy, numeracy and digital skills."

"Pupils’ oracy skills in English from the Nursery class to Year 6 are exceptional. Although the pupils have a great enthusiasm for learning Welsh, they do not always make the progress they could in developing their Welsh language skills. Pupils understand how much staff care for them and there is a feeling of mutual respect between staff and pupils. Pupils’ collaboration in class activities and around the school is a strength. They are kind and considerate to each other and their behaviour is exceptional at all times. They contribute well to a variety of groups and committees, and enthusiastically share examples of where their influence has had a positive impact on school life."

"All staff are ambitious for pupils to succeed and support them successfully to develop positive attitudes to learning. Teachers plan engaging activities for pupils to enable them to make effective progress in their literacy, numeracy and digital skills. They provide pupils with suitable opportunities to build on their knowledge and understanding but, generally, the whole school approach to develop the Curriculum for Wales lacks clarity. The headteacher, ably supported by the senior leadership team, ensures that the well-being of pupils and the wider school community is at the heart of the school. Leaders communicate well with parents. Governors know the school very well and fulfil their role as critical friend, asking challenging questions about decision-making, which supports the headteacher in moving the school forward."

Estyn made 3 recommendations: (1) Ensure that the curriculum is meaningful for all pupils and builds systematically and coherently across the school; (2) Develop pupils’ independent skills; (3) Ensure that pupils have regular opportunities to improve their own work.

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are very proud of our pupils and all we achieve at St Bernadette's. Through our school aims we strive for all pupils to become responsible learners and thinkers and to make the most of every opportunity given to them."

The nearest other state primary schools to St Bernadette's R.C. Primary School are Bryn Celyn Primary School (0.2 miles), Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pen-Y-Groes (0.2 miles), St David's C.I.W. Primary School (0.3 miles) and Glyncoed Primary School (0.4 miles).

The nearest railway station is Llanishen Rail Station, about 1.7 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Bernardettes (opposite), 90 metres away.