St Joseph's Catholic Infant School, Port Talbot

St Joseph's Catholic Infant 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 120 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

20% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 15% have additional learning needs (38% in 2020/21); 26% are learning English as an additional language; and 36% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 23 pupils (Reception) to 34 (Year 2).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £6,227 per pupil, against £4,211 in 2021-22. It carried forward £33k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its May 2026 inspection summarises St Joseph's Catholic Infant School like this:

"The school is a caring and inclusive community where pupils feel safe, happy and respected. Leaders, staff and governors work together well to create a positive environment with high expectations for pupils’ well-being and progress. Staff build strong relationships with families that help pupils to settle quickly and feel confident in school. They monitor the progress of pupils skilfully to ensure that learning experiences inspire and challenge them successfully. Nearly all pupils, including those with additional learning needs (ALN) and those eligible for free school meals, enjoy learning and make strong progress in their literacy, numeracy and digital skills during their time in the school. The school provides a broad variety of stimulating learning experiences that meet the needs of nearly all pupils successfully."

"Teachers plan activities that match pupils’ interests well, helping them to become motivated and resilient learners. They create learning environments that engage and support pupils to work together positively. Provision for the youngest pupils is particularly imaginative and helps them to make rapid progress in developing their physical, social and independent learning skills. All pupils benefit from valuable opportunities to work with local businesses and community groups. These activities support pupils to apply their literacy, numeracy and social skills to meaningful tasks and to develop as thoughtful and caring citizens. Staff model language effectively and support pupils, including those learning English as an additional language, to develop confidence in English and Welsh."

"They use regular story time to promote pleasure in reading successfully. However, teachers do not always provide enough opportunities for pupils to write creatively or to develop a suitable range of artistic skills. Leaders know the school well and use self-evaluation to identify and drive improvements effectively. Governors support the school diligently, ensuring that pupils and staff feel safe and well supported. Attendance has improved steadily, and pupils understand the importance of attending school regularly."

Estyn made 2 recommendations: (1) Improve opportunities for pupils to write creatively; (2) Provide suitable opportunities for pupils to develop their artistic skills.

In its own words: "In St Joseph’s Infant School every child is valued and respected. We aim to provide a caring, safe, secure and stimulating environment where your child is encouraged to become self confident and an independent learner. Rooted in Christ we aim to: Provide an education that develops the spiritual, academic, wellbeing and moral aspects of each individual."

From the headteacher's welcome: "On behalf of all the children, parents, staff, and governors of St. Joseph’s Catholic Infant School, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to you. As a Catholic school, our faith is at the heart of everything we do. Every aspect of school life is rooted in Gospel values."

The nearest other state primary schools to St Joseph's Catholic Infant School are Sandfields Primary School (0.4 miles), St Joseph's Catholic Junior School (0.5 miles), Central Primary School (0.8 miles) and Tywyn Primary School (0.9 miles).

The nearest railway station is Port Talbot Parkway Rail Station, about 600 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).

16 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Health Centre (opposite), 100 metres away.