Ysgol G.G. Ynyswen, Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

Ysgol G.G. Ynyswen 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 226 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

14% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 3% have additional learning needs (23% in 2020/21).

Year groups range from 19 pupils (Year 2) to 37 (Year 5).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £4,745 per pupil, against £3,530 in 2021-22. It carried forward £62k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its December 2022 inspection summarises Ysgol G.G. Ynyswen like this:

"Most pupils enjoy their time at this friendly, caring and supportive school. They take pride in their school and make a significant contribution to its wonderful ethos. They are very well behaved and treat others with praiseworthy respect and courtesy. One obvious strength is the way in which staff ensure that the Welsh language and Welsh culture are a key part of the school’s life and work. As a result, nearly all pupils speak and communicate confidently in Welsh in a range of various contexts. Most pupils make sound progress in developing their literacy skills in both languages, their mathematical skills and digital skills. However, overall, teachers do not provide enough purposeful opportunities for pupils to apply their numeracy skills across the curriculum. As a result, many pupils do not apply their numeracy skills to the best of their ability."

"The school’s curriculum provides a wide range of interesting and stimulating experiences across many of the areas of learning and experience. Pupils’ views are an important part of the process of planning activities and, as a result, most pupils apply themselves enthusiastically to their experiences. There is a positive environment in the classrooms and they are hard-working and purposeful learning communities. Many teachers use a suitable range of effective teaching techniques. However, there is a tendency for a few teachers to over-direct learning. This limits pupils’ ability to complete their tasks independently. In addition, a few teachers do not always ensure that tasks and learning experiences are challenging enough for pupils. The headteacher has a clear and robust vision for the school, which is based on developing pupils’ well-being and Welsh language skills."

"She shares this vision successfully with everyone in the school community. Middle leaders support the headteacher effectively and there is a strong sense of teamwork across the school. The headteacher has a sound understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for improvement. She is supported by governors who are supportive of the school’s vision and work. However, the governing body does not play a robust enough role in the school’s self-evaluation processes. As a result, it does not support the school effectively in identifying the school’s strengths and areas for improvement."

Estyn made 4 recommendations: (1) Address the health and safety issue that was raised during the inspection; (2) Ensure an appropriate level of challenge to support pupils to develop their skills to the best of their ability; (3) Provide purposeful opportunities for pupils to apply their numeracy skills across the curriculum; (4) Ensure that members of the governing body play a full part in self-evaluation processes to support the school to identify all strengths and areas for improvement.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ysgol G.G. Ynyswen are Penyrenglyn Primary School (0.4 miles), Treorchy Primary School (0.7 miles), Parc Primary School (0.8 miles) and Ton Pentre Junior School (1.7 miles).

The nearest railway station is Ynyswen Rail Station, about 110 metres away (roughly a 1-minute walk).

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Ynyswen Railway Station (near), 90 metres away.