Ysgol Gyfun Y Strade, Carmarthenshire

Ysgol Gyfun Y Strade 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 1274 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

12% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 3% have additional learning needs (21% in 2020/21); and 2% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 2 pupils (Year 14) to 242 (Year 8).

Estyn's report on its March 2026 inspection summarises Ysgol Gyfun Y Strade like this:

"Ysgol Gyfun y Strade is a warm and supportive community where positive working relationships between staff and pupils are a basis for a productive learning environment. Most pupils behave respectfully and apply themselves enthusiastically to their learning, which enables many to make sound progress from their starting points. Most pupils feel safe and value the school’s inclusive and familial ethos, which gives them a strong sense of belonging. Many teachers plan learning effectively and provide activities that build logically on pupils’ previous knowledge. In the strongest examples, teaching engages pupils’ interest successfully, which develops their ability to think more deeply and encourages them to be more independent learners. In a few lessons where teaching is not as strong, teachers do not plan effectively enough to provide pupils with sufficient challenge. The school places a strong emphasis on nurturing and developing pupils’ skills."

"Leaders plan and co-ordinate purposeful and valuable provision to develop literacy, numeracy and digital competence skills, integrating them effectively to enrich learning across the curriculum. As a result, many pupils make sound progress by using their skills meaningfully and applying them confidently and skilfully across the subjects. The curriculum is broad and relevant and supports the development of pupils as well-rounded individuals. Arrangements for well-being, care, support and guidance are strong. Staff know the pupils well and provide tailored support which responds sensitively to their needs. The ‘Strade yn y Gymuned’ initiative provides pupils with purposeful support which improves their well- being, engagement with learning and helps them to overcome obstacles relating to poverty and social and emotional difficulties. There is suitable provision for pupils with additional learning needs and safeguarding arrangements are sound."

"There are valuable opportunities for pupils to contribute to school life and lead initiatives which develop their confidence and sense of belonging to the school’s wider community. Sixth-form pupils broadcast Welsh language music and weekly well-being messages through the school’s radio station, ‘Sain y Sosban’, by promoting the Welsh ethos and the community of Ysgol y Strade. The headteacher is a reliable and robust leader with a clear vision. He is supported effectively by the leadership team and governors. The school has suitable arrangements to evaluate its work and plan for improvement, which has led to improvements in a number of areas, including improving the quality of teaching and provision for skills. However, over time, leaders have not succeeded in improving attendance, including the attendance of pupils who are eligible for free school meals."

Estyn made 2 recommendations: (1) Improve pupils’ attendance levels, including pupils who are eligible for free school meals; (2) Share the strong teaching practices that were seen in the best lessons to strengthen the standard of teaching further.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Ysgol Gyfun Y Strade are Coedcae School (1.7 miles), Bryngwyn Comprehensive School (2 miles), St John Lloyd R C School (2 miles) and Carmarthenshire Secondary Teaching and Learning Centre (2.9 miles).

The nearest railway station is Llanelli Rail Station (Main Entrance), about 1.3 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Iscoed, 150 metres away.