Ysgol Nant Y Groes, Colwyn Bay

Ysgol Nant Y Groes 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 225 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

45% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 19% have additional learning needs (33% in 2020/21); 9% are learning English as an additional language; and 22% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 23 pupils (Reception) to 34 (Year 4).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £6,835 per pupil, against £4,784 in 2021-22. It carried forward £252k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its February 2026 inspection summarises Ysgol Nant Y Groes like this:

"Ysgol Nant y Groes is a welcoming and inclusive school where leaders and staff create a caring and supportive environment for pupils. A clear shared vision promotes positive values such as respect, kindness and aspiration. As a result, most pupils make good progress in their learning over time and develop as thoughtful and considerate individuals. Pupils from low-income households, and those with additional learning needs, including those who attend the learning resource bases, receive effective, individualised support that helps most to engage positively with learning and make good progress in developing their learning skills, especially in their writing skills. Across the school, staff know pupils well and establish strong, respectful relationships with them."

"This has a very positive impact on pupils’ behaviour and attitudes to learning, which are consistently strong across the school. Teachers provide a broad and balanced curriculum and makes purposeful use of the local community to enrich pupils’ learning. Through this, pupils benefit from meaningful experiences that help them to develop an understanding of their Welsh identity, social responsibility and the wider world. Consistent practices and high expectations from teachers and support staff contribute to calm, purposeful learning environments. Most teachers set a suitable pace and provide an appropriate level of support and challenge to pupils."

"However, at times, tasks that are delivered by staff are over directed and do not always encourage pupils to develop as independent learners. Leaders and governors provide clear and purposeful direction for the school and share a strong commitment to pupils’ learning and well-being. Leaders have a secure understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for development. Governors know the school well and provide appropriate support, although their level of challenge is developing. While attendance has improved slightly over time, persistent absenteeism remains higher than national averages."

Estyn made 2 recommendations: (1) Reduce rates of pupils’ persistent absenteeism; (2) Enable all pupils to make purposeful choices about how and what they learn to further develop as independent learners.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ysgol Nant Y Groes are Ysgol Bod Alaw (0.4 miles), Old Colwyn Junior C.P. School (0.7 miles), St Joseph's R.C. Primary School (0.7 miles) and Ysgol Pen Y Bryn (0.9 miles).

The nearest railway station is Colwyn Bay Rail Station, about 560 metres away (roughly a 7-minute walk).

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Eirias High School (outside), 330 metres away.