Ysgol Gynradd Coed y Dderwen, Merthyr Tydfil

Ysgol Gynradd Coed y Dderwen 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 207 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

51% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 15% have additional learning needs (31% in 2020/21); 4% are learning English as an additional language; and 7% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 21 pupils (Year 3) to 39 (Year 6).

Estyn's report on its October 2023 inspection summarises Ysgol Gynradd Coed y Dderwen like this:

"Leaders and staff at Ysgol Coed y Dderwen work diligently together to create a positive and caring learning community where the well-being of pupils, their families and staff is paramount. The highly effective leadership, along with passionate and well-informed governors, know their school and local community well. They work conscientiously to reduce the impact of poverty on the lives and life-chances of all pupils. They know what pupils need to thrive. This means that pupils’ behaviour and attitudes to learning are exemplary. Staff ensure that the school is a calm environment, where pupils learn through a range of interesting experiences drawn from an exciting and highly innovative curriculum."

"On a few occasions, teachers over-direct learning, which means that pupils are not always challenged to their full potential. Staff use the outdoors effectively to inspire and enrich pupils’ learning experiences. They ensure that pupils develop their skills and become independent, resourceful and creative individuals. Pupils are confident and articulate speakers who write purposefully across the curriculum. They develop their physical skills well through activities that improve their dexterity and stamina indoors and out. During their time in school, nearly all pupils make at least expected progress, including those with additional learning needs and those who attend the learning resource base."

"All staff work together well to promote a caring and nurturing ethos throughout the school. They all know their roles well to keep pupils safe. The school has a strong culture of safeguarding children. However, the current arrangements for pedestrians and vehicles to enter and leave the school grounds during drop-off and collection times are not appropriate."

Estyn made 2 recommendations: (1) Address the health and safety issue that was identified during the core inspection; (2) Ensure that teachers offer sufficient challenge for pupils of all abilities.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ysgol Gynradd Coed y Dderwen are Ysgol-Y-Graig Primary School (0.6 miles), Cyfarthfa Park Primary School (0.6 miles), Heolgerrig Community School (0.7 miles) and Goetre Primary School (0.9 miles).

The nearest railway station is Merthyr Tydfil Rail Station, about 1.2 miles away in a straight line.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Tai Mawr Flats (opposite), 100 metres away.