Tongwynlais Primary School, Cardiff

Tongwynlais 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 179 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

22% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 7% have additional learning needs (20% in 2020/21); 6% are learning English as an additional language; and 19% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 16 pupils (Year 1) to 28 (Year 6).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £5,323 per pupil, against £4,040 in 2021-22. It ended 2024-25 with a deficit of £147k.

Estyn's report on its June 2023 inspection summarises Tongwynlais Primary School like this:

"The pupils at Tongwynlais Primary School enjoy coming to school and take part in lessons and activities with great enthusiasm. Staff know their pupils well and work effectively to ensure that they are happy and safe when they are at school. The school’s support for pupils’ well-being is strong and staff work successfully to cater for pupils’ individual needs and to address any issues or worries that they may have. The school is aware of the challenges that some families may have as a result of deprivation and is working thoughtfully and sensitively to ensure that this does not negatively affect the learning experiences of their children. Teachers plan engaging learning activities that often capture the interest of pupils and make them keen to learn."

"They include pupils well in the planning of topics, lessons and learning activities, and this is one of the reasons that pupils find their lessons so interesting. However, the activities that teachers plan do not always focus clearly enough on the next steps in pupils’ learning. As well as this, the curriculum does not ensure that pupils build effectively on their previous learning as they move through the school. Generally, pupils make good progress with their literacy, numeracy and thinking skills but their ability to understand and use the Welsh language is underdeveloped. The leadership structure for the federation is going through a period of change."

"The headteacher is new to his role, having previously been the deputy headteacher for the federation. Building upon his former position, he has continued to successfully develop positive working relationships with staff and parents across both schools. Leaders and governors are keen to make the most of the advantages of being part of a federation, for instance by using existing strengths in one provider to make improvements in the other. They are aware that leadership responsibilities are not distributed equally or effectively enough at the moment and that too many important areas are currently overseen by the headteacher in addition to his wider strategic role."

Estyn made 4 recommendations: (1) Ensure that leadership responsibilities are distributed effectively and focus on improving outcomes for pupils; (2) Improve the quality and consistency of teaching; (3) Ensure that the curriculum develop pupils’ skills and knowledge progressively and meets statutory requirements; (4) Raise standards in Welsh.

The nearest other state primary schools to Tongwynlais Primary School are Bryn Deri Primary School (0.8 miles), Coryton Primary School (0.9 miles), Radyr Primary School (0.9 miles) and Ysgol Gynradd Gwaelod-Y-Garth (1.3 miles).

The nearest railway station is Taffs Well Rail Station, about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Michael`s Close (after), 20 metres away.