Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Helyg, Blaenau Gwent

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Helyg 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 374 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

18% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 5% have additional learning needs (11% in 2020/21).

Year groups range from 31 pupils (Year 6) to 63 (Reception).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £7,400 per pupil, against £4,616 in 2021-22. It carried forward £148k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its June 2025 inspection summarises Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Helyg like this:

"Ysgol Bro Helyg is an inclusive and caring community where pupils feel safe and are nurtured to develop into confident and well-rounded individuals. Under the headteacher’s clear leadership, there is a strong culture of cooperation among staff which contributes effectively to creating a positive and ambitious learning environment. Across the school, pupils behave extremely well, show respect for others and take genuine pride in their learning. In a culture of self-reflection and continuous professional support, staff work purposefully to provide interesting experiences for pupils. The school has a stimulating curriculum and the learning experiences offer an appropriate level of challenge and support."

"Staff use questioning to extend pupils' understanding and the planning ensures constructive progression in their skills. However, although there is regular feedback to pupils, it does not always help them understand the next steps in their learning. As a result of robust teaching, pupils work confidently individually and in groups and their ideas form the basis of teachers' planning. Teachers are beginning to plan opportunities to develop pupils into independent learners, although this has not yet been rooted fully. The school uses the outdoor area extremely skilfully to provide an exciting curriculum that stimulates curiosity and fosters positive attitudes to learning."

"Pupils make good progress in Welsh and use the language confidently both orally and in writing. In addition, rich projects and learning opportunities offer beneficial opportunities for pupils to apply their digital and numeracy skills successfully. As a result, most pupils make sound progress during their time at the school. The provision in 'Y Noddfa', namely the local authority's specialist communication and autism provision, is extremely effective. Provision is led robustly and pupils make strong personal progress against their individual targets."

Estyn made 2 recommendations: (1) Ensure that the feedback to pupils supports them to identify the next steps in their learning; (2) Strengthen the opportunities for pupils to develop into independent learners.

The school runs a breakfast club.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Helyg are St Mary's Roman Catholic - Brynmawr (0.3 miles), St Mary's C in W Voluntary Aided School (0.4 miles), Blaen-Y-Cwm C.P. School (0.4 miles) and Beaufort Hill Primary School (1.2 miles).

The nearest railway station is Ebbw Vale Town Rail Station, about 2 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hermatage, 300 metres away.