St Margaret's R.C. Primary School, Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

St Margaret'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 93 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

32% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 8% have additional learning needs; 17% are learning English as an additional language; and 20% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 7 pupils (Year 3) to 17 (Year 6).

Estyn's report on its January 2024 inspection summarises St Margaret's R.C. Primary School like this:

"St Margaret’s R.C. Primary is caring school where leaders commit to develop positive relationships with staff, pupils and their families and this helps to develop a connection where there is a strong sense of belonging. Leaders provide an inclusive learning environment, where pupils’ emotional needs are suitably met. Following a period of change in leadership, leaders now provide stability and consistency in the day-to-day running of the school. They have successfully developed a shared vision and are strengthening the role of the leadership team. Leaders provide increased opportunities for governors to link with other staff members to gather first-hand information about the school’s strengths and areas to develop. Overall, leaders know their school well and understand the actions they need to take to improve aspects of its work."

"The current focus to improve pupils’ attendance, as well as improving the progress pupils make in their reading and number skills, is having a positive impact. Leaders also identify the need to develop pupils’ numeracy skills across the curriculum, as well as their digital skills, and there are planned actions in place to develop in these areas. However, leaders do not identify the need to develop teachers’ understanding of child development and this limits the effectiveness of provision for the youngest pupils. The school is beginning to develop its curriculum and works effectively with partner schools and advisors to develop staff subject knowledge. In the most effective example, teachers provide worthwhile opportunities for pupils to develop a range of skills for a purpose, for example, when designing a modern, sustainable home that is safe for the Three Little Pigs to live in. However, there are limited opportunities to build on pupils’ skills systematically and link their learning to purposeful or real-life activities. Across the school, teachers provide a range of enrichment opportunities for pupils to broaden their learning experiences."

"There are suitable opportunities for pupils to widen their creative skills through school productions and physical skills through sports activities. Together, leaders and staff, work diligently to raise standards and improve outcomes for the pupils. They share a commitment and drive to do the best they can for all. Overall, many pupils make suitable progress in reading and number although progress in other areas of learning varies across the school. Most pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) make good progress, and benefit from the effective strategies in place that focus on their individual needs."

Estyn made 3 recommendations: (1) Ensure that the curriculum provides purposeful and engaging learning experiences that challenge and support pupils to build their skills progressively; (2) Improve pupils’ digital and numeracy skills; (3) Secure teachers’ understanding of early child development so that they provide suitable learning opportunities to meet the needs of the youngest pupils.

The nearest other state primary schools to St Margaret's R.C. Primary School are Caradog Primary School (0.2 miles), Aberdare Town C.I.W. Primary School (0.5 miles), Aberdare Park Primary (0.7 miles) and Ysgol G.G. Aberdar (0.8 miles).

The nearest railway station is Aberdare Rail Station, about 860 metres away (roughly a 11-minute walk).

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Ty Fry (o/s 52), 160 metres away.