Ysgol G.G. Evan James, Pontypridd

Ysgol G.G. Evan James 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 318 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 2% have additional learning needs (16% in 2020/21); and 2% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 25 pupils (Year 3) to 47 (Reception).

Estyn's report on its June 2024 inspection summarises Ysgol G.G. Evan James like this:

"The acting headteacher of Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Evan James leads the learning community in an inspiring manner. She upholds a vision that provides an environment that fosters pupils’ well-being and learning skilfully. Leaders promote a culture of co-operation among staff in a valuable manner and support them to provide beneficial learning experiences for pupils. The wider community within the school, including the governing body, shares the same vision and contributes appropriately to continuous improvement. Overall, leaders evaluate the school’s strengths and areas for improvement regularly which, in turn, leads to beneficial priorities and improvement. However, self-evaluation processes do not always measure the effect of provision on pupils’ progress effectively enough."

"One of the school’s most obvious qualities is provision to support pupils to develop their Welsh language skills. This has a robust effect on pupils’ confidence to speak Welsh in formal and less formal contexts. Most pupils use their literacy, numeracy and digital skills effectively in relevant learning activities. Overall, teachers across the school take advantage of opportunities to share and emulate effective teaching practices. This means that pupils have beneficial experiences that support them to develop and apply their skills independently in stimulating learning activities. However, effective teaching practices are not adopted consistently in all classes."

"The teaching team identifies pupils’ well-being and learning needs skilfully. This contributes successfully to fostering pupils’ interest in their learning in an inclusive and Welsh environment. Staff provide opportunities to support pupils to enjoy the various learning experiences and make progress in their skills. This includes provision for pupils who receive additional support with their learning, including those who receive specialist support in the ‘Cwtsh’ through the medium of Welsh."

Estyn made 2 recommendations: (1) Refine self-evaluation processes; (2) Share effective teaching practices across the school.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ysgol G.G. Evan James are Maes-Y-Coed Primary School (0.3 miles), Coedylan Primary School (0.3 miles), Trehopcyn Primary School (0.6 miles) and Coedpenmaen County Primary School (0.6 miles).

The nearest railway station is Pontypridd Rail Station, about 260 metres away (roughly a 3-minute walk).

23 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Lidl (after), 30 metres away.