Upper Rhymney Primary School, Rhymney

Upper Rhymney 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 124 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

50% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 6% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 11 pupils (Reception) to 21 (Year 2).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £5,742 per pupil, against £4,039 in 2021-22. It ended 2024-25 with a deficit of £12k.

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

"Upper Rhymney Primary School is a caring and inclusive school, which encourages pupils to learn in a positive atmosphere and to be happy. Pupils enjoy the activities and tasks provided and use a wide range of strategies and resources to learn productively. Pupils’ enthusiastic attitudes and readiness to learn during lessons is due to the purposeful working relationships that exist with their teachers and other staff. The staff provide beneficial learning opportunities for pupils, which includes using the woodland area regularly. Where learning is particularly successful, the teaching and assessment is engaging and purposeful and staff have high expectations of pupils. However, the quality of teaching varies in terms of its impact on pupils’ progress. Teachers’ feedback is also inconsistent when attempting to develop the next steps in pupils’ learning."

"All staff provide a high level of support and care for pupils in all aspects of school life. This encourages pupils to take responsibility for their own learning and well-being. Pupils’ behaviour is very good, and they are determined to persevere and learn purposefully. As a result, they develop good literacy and creative skills across the curriculum. However, the planning to improve pupils’ numeracy and digital skills is not as effective. The headteacher provides effective and purposeful leadership. She is determined to succeed for the benefit of pupils and the community."

"The senior leadership team, the staff and the governors share a clear vision. They work together well to ensure that the school is an inclusive learning community that promotes positive opportunities for pupils. The headteacher shares responsibilities effectively among staff. This creates a positive whole-school focus, where staff and pupils feel valued for their contributions to school life. Leaders evaluate the school's work to plan for improvements thoroughly. They use robust self-evaluation processes and identify development areas well, such as improving outdoor resources for younger pupils. Additionally, these monitoring practices lead to worthwhile training opportunities for staff to develop their skills through effective professional learning."

Estyn made 4 recommendations: (1) Challenge all pupils pupils through consistent and effective teaching; (2) Plan effective progression in pupils’ numeracy and digital skills as they move through the school; (3) Ensure that the quality of teachers’ feedback targets the next steps in pupils’ learning across the school; (4) Improve the resources and outdoor learning opportunities for younger pupils.

From the headteacher's welcome: "I want our School to be a place where our children feel safe and secure, somewhere they enjoy coming to, where they feel valued by the people they meet, where the lessons and experiences are challenging and exciting and where they work hard to make the very best of all their skills and talents."

The school runs after-school care.

The nearest other state primary schools to Upper Rhymney Primary School are Ysgol Y Lawnt (0.5 miles), Bryn Awel Primary School (0.9 miles), Bryn Bach County Primary School (1.6 miles) and Fochriw Primary School (1.7 miles).

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

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Albion Square (after), 90 metres away.