Ysgol Maenofferen, Gwynedd

Ysgol Maenofferen 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 216 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

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

Of its pupils, 13% have additional learning needs (28% in 2020/21); and 3% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 23 pupils (Year 4) to 30 (Year 2).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £5,568 per pupil, against £4,156 in 2021-22. It carried forward £103k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its March 2025 inspection summarises Ysgol Maenofferen like this:

"The firm leadership of the headteacher, along with the school’s conscientious staff, fosters pupils’ well-being, care and support effectively. They identify pupils’ needs thoroughly and have a sound understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for improvement. The homely and inclusive ethos supports pupils to have positive attitudes to learning. Staff create a productive and happy learning environment for pupils. Nearly all pupils behave well during their activities, when learning independently and when playing with their friends. Pupils make valuable use of the outdoor learning areas, which make a positive contribution to their well-being and enthusiasm for learning."

"Teachers ensure that learning experiences engage and hold pupils’ interest well and include their ideas purposefully as part of provision. They provide pupils with useful support, where relevant, but there are few opportunities for pupils to respond to feedback to support them to make sound progress in their learning. Staff enrich pupils’ learning with partnerships in the community extremely successfully, including when taking part in activities at the local environmental centre. Across the school, most pupils develop a range of skills effectively. They respond enthusiastically to staff’s instructions and respect each other’s contributions in learning sessions. Most pupils’ skills develop successfully."

"There are valuable opportunities for pupils to develop their skills in practical activities, including science and technology experiments. The headteacher and staff have a positive relationship and effective communication arrangements with parents, including parents of pupils with additional learning needs (ALN). Parents have the confidence to raise any issues that may affect the well-being and learning of their children with staff. The headteacher takes advantage of the expertise of a family liaison officer effectively to raise pupils’ aspirations and improve attendance rates, for example by teaching Welsh to the area’s residents and holding valuable workshops for them at the school."

Estyn made 1 recommendation: (1) Provide regular opportunities for pupils to respond to feedback to support them to make sound progress in their learning.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ysgol Maenofferen are Ysgol Y Manod (under 0.1 miles), Ysgol Gynradd Tanygrisiau (1.2 miles), Ysgol Bro Cynfal (2.4 miles) and Ysgol Edmwnd Prys (3.8 miles).

The nearest railway station is Blaenau Ffestiniog Rail Station, about 300 metres away (roughly a 4-minute walk).

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Wynne Road Health Centre (outside), 100 metres away.