Ysgol Cenarth, Carmarthenshire

Ysgol Cenarth is a Welsh-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.

23% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 10% have additional learning needs (22% in 2020/21).

Year groups range from 8 pupils (Reception) to 15 (Year 2).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £5,354 per pupil, against £4,382 in 2021-22. It carried forward £31k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its October 2023 inspection summarises Ysgol Cenarth like this:

"Ysgol Cenarth is a happy, familial and welcoming community. All staff work together effectively to provide an inclusive and friendly ethos where pupils are polite and behave respectfully. Pupils demonstrate a positive attitude to learning and make sound progress from their starting points. At times, learning experiences encourage pupils to take responsibility for their own learning, which engages their interest. However, this has not been embedded and developed consistently, and opportunities to be inquisitive and independent learners are limited. Many pupils develop their numeracy and digital skills well by the end of their time at the school."

"However, a minority of pupils’ Welsh reading strategies are limited. Most pupils develop their creative skills effectively and their work is displayed and celebrated attractively around the school. Teachers provide a broad and interesting curriculum for pupils and consider their views sensibly about what they would like to learn in relation to their learning themes. However, they do not provide enough opportunities for pupils to write at length in different contexts. The school is run effectively and leaders identify aspects of the school’s work that are in need of improvement and the steps needed to realise this. The school’s monitoring and evaluation activities are shrewd and accurate."

"Leaders give careful consideration to the views of pupils and governors and their voice influences the school’s direction appropriately. Leaders share their vision clearly with everyone and the school community works diligently to ensure that learners are given a ‘Good start’ to have a ‘Bright future’. Governors have a good awareness of the school’s work and support the school effectively. The school needs to address the safeguarding concerns relating to the school’s site."

Estyn made 4 recommendations: (1) Respond to the safeguarding concerns relating to the school’s site; (2) Develop pupils’ Welsh reading skills; (3) Expand opportunities for pupils to write at length in different contexts; (4) Develop opportunities to promote pupils’ independent skills.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ysgol Cenarth are Ysgol Y Ddwylan (2.6 miles), Ysgol Llechryd (3.7 miles), Cilgerran V.C.P. School (4.6 miles) and Ysgol Penparc (4.9 miles).

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Ysgol Cenarth.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Cenarth Primary School (before), 70 metres away.