Ysgol Glan-Y-Mor School, Carmarthenshire

Ysgol Glan-Y-Mor 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 575 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

31% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 13% have additional learning needs (50% in 2020/21); 1% are learning English as an additional language; and 8% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 106 pupils (Year 7) to 135 (Year 9).

Estyn's report on its November 2025 inspection summarises Ysgol Glan-Y-Mor School like this:

"Ysgol Glan-y-Môr is a close-knit and supportive community within the Bryngwyn and Glan-y-Môr Federation. Many pupils have a positive attitude towards learning and school life, and show respect to their teachers, support staff and visitors. They generally behave well and engage suitably in lessons. However, opportunities for pupils to develop leadership skills and make meaningful contributions to school life and improvements are limited. Support for well-being is a strong feature of the school and reflects the federation’s commitment to inclusive practice. Together with the additional learning needs team, the pastoral team provides specific support for pupils with additional learning needs and those with social, emotional and behavioural needs. This includes beneficial assistance to families through the school’s established partnerships with relevant external support agencies. Whilst this has helped reduce instances of poor behaviour and the number of exclusions over time, low attendance, including that of pupils eligible for free school meals, remains a significant concern."

"Teaching is too variable across the school. In a few cases, teachers provide engaging, progressive learning experiences and have relatively high expectations of what their pupils can achieve. They have clear learning objectives and plan relevant activities to support pupils’ progress. However, in a minority of cases, shortcomings in teachers’ planning for subject and skills development mean that pupils do not make as much progress as that of which they are capable. Leaders do not plan well enough for clear progression in pupils’ literacy, numeracy and digital skills. Across the federation, the executive headteacher provides thoughtful and supportive leadership. Governors are faithful supporters of the school and the Federation but do not have a clear or comprehensive enough overview of its strengths and areas for improvement. The executive headteacher has responded sensitively to a number of staff absences in Glan-y-Môr and has provided support where needed."

"The executive headteacher has begun to implement some beneficial changes, such as improving self-evaluation processes and strengthening pupil leadership opportunities. However, these developments are very recent and not fully developed. There is too much variation in how well leaders at all levels are held to account for their areas of responsibility. Their ability to evaluate the impact of their work on pupils’ learning and well-being is developing but remains inconsistent across all leaders. The school hosts a specialist resource base for pupils with autistic spectrum conditions. Overall, provision and support for these pupils is strong."

Estyn made 6 recommendations: (1) Improve the quality of teaching and assessment; (2) Improve attendance; (3) Strengthen leaders’ capacity to evaluate the impact of their areas of responsibility and plan for improvement; (4) Strengthen accountability and the impact of leadership at all levels; (5) Improve the provision for the progressive development of pupils’ skills; (6) Strengthen pupil leadership processes and ensure that pupil voice influences strategic decisions.

Estyn follow-up status: Significant Improvement.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Ysgol Glan-Y-Mor School are Carmarthenshire Secondary Teaching and Learning Centre (0.3 miles) and Ysgol Gyfun Y Strade (3.1 miles).

The nearest railway station is Pembrey & Burry Port Rail Station, about 430 metres away (roughly a 5-minute walk).

17 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Pemberton Avenue, 80 metres away.