Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr, Cardiff

Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr 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 1209 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

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

Of its pupils, 8% have additional learning needs (16% in 2020/21); and 11% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 94 pupils (Year 13) to 207 (Year 9).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £5,354 per pupil, against £5,034 in 2021-22. It ended 2024-25 with a deficit of £303k.

Estyn's report on its January 2023 inspection summarises Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr like this:

"Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr is a close-knit community in which the school motto, ‘Parch, Parodrwydd, Perthyn’ (‘ Be respectful, Be prepared, Belong’), is central to everything. The pastoral care and support the school provides for pupils is a notable strength. As a result, most pupils feel safe, are polite and are well behaved. Many develop to be mature citizens. The sixth form plays a key role in school life. Sixth form students lead clubs for younger pupils and a number of forums that support pupils to develop their understanding of tolerance, equality and fairness. A notable example of this is the ‘Newid Ffem’ group, where sixth form pupils support the school’s younger girls in a variety of ways. Overall, sixth form pupils make strong progress in their academic studies."

"The new headteacher has a clear vision for the school and, in a very short time, has identified the main strengths and areas for improvement. Leaders across the school provide high levels of support for staff and effective leadership in terms of provision for well-being and additional learning needs (ALN). Governors provide strong support and undertake their role as a critical friend appropriately. However, leadership of teaching and learning is not effective enough. Leaders do not evaluate the quality of teaching or provision for skills incisively enough, as they do not give enough consideration to the effect of provision on learning. As a result, they do not identify in sufficient detail the specific aspects that need to be improved in these areas. Leaders also do not hold those they lead sufficiently accountable for their work. The school provides a balanced curriculum that is enriched by the valuable partnership with other Welsh-medium secondary schools in Cardiff."

"The school’s work for the Curriculum for Wales is developing appropriately. It has worked suitably with parents, staff, pupils and primary schools in the cluster to create a clear vision that is based on ensuring pupil well-being, developing their values and providing learning experiences that build on previous learning. Most teachers foster positive working relationships with their classes and, in a majority of lessons, pupils make secure progress in their subject knowledge. Many pupils have positive attitudes to learning. However, in a minority of lessons, the quality of teaching is not good enough and the quality of assessment and feedback for pupils is inconsistent. Overall, pupils develop their skills appropriately. However, provision for skills is not co-ordinated well enough, particularly provision to develop pupils’ digital and numeracy skills across the curriculum. There is a strong culture of safeguarding within the school, but a few health and safety issues were brought to the attention of the school during the inspection."

Estyn made 5 recommendations: (1) Improve the quality of leadership in specific areas and ensure that leaders and staff are held accountable for their work; (2) Strengthen self-evaluation processes and ensure that provision is evaluated according to its effect on learning; (3) Improve the quality of teaching and feedback where they are not effective enough; (4) Strengthen provision to develop pupils’ skills progressively; (5) Address the health and safety issues that were raised during the inspection.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr are The Bishop Of Llandaff C.I.W. High School (0.6 miles), Cantonian High School (0.7 miles), Radyr Comprehensive School (0.8 miles) and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf (0.9 miles).

The nearest railway station is Danescourt Rail Station, about 870 metres away (roughly a 11-minute walk).

14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Waterhall Road (after), 80 metres away.