Ysgol Pen Y Pil, Cardiff

Ysgol Pen Y Pil 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 169 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

36% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 5% have additional learning needs (9% in 2020/21); and 15% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 13 pupils (Year 1) to 24 (Year 6).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £5,649 per pupil, against £4,057 in 2021-22. It carried forward £26k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its June 2024 inspection summarises Ysgol Pen Y Pil like this:

"Ysgol Gymraeg Pen y Pîl is part of the Ffederasiwn y Ddraig federation, which was formed in September 2019. Together with Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Eirwg, they create a successful learning community that celebrates Welshness, provides care and respect well and offer valuable experiences for pupils. Pupils’ pride in their school, their local area and Wales can be felt clearly within the learning environment. The headteacher, with the effective support of the heads in charge, co-operates well and provides clear leadership which contributes effectively to consistency in provision and to pupils’ well-rounded education. The close working relationship between Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern cluster schools contributes further to the sense of effective co-operation and sharing which is a strong element of this leadership. Staff are committed to providing high quality care and well-being for pupils across the school within a supportive environment. This influences pupils’ behaviour and attitudes towards each other and adults successfully."

"The federation’s self-evaluation and planning for improvement arrangements are effective. The school uses the information gathered skilfully to develop provision further. For example, leaders evaluate the effect that including pupils’ ideas and transferring responsibility for their learning has had on developing pupils’ independence and enthusiasm at the top of the school. Teachers plan purposeful opportunities for pupils to develop a strong sense of belonging to the community and to Wales. They place a worthy emphasis on providing a range of valuable and interesting experiences that build effectively on pupils’ development and broaden their horizons well. Teachers plan purposefully to provide opportunities for pupils to take part in a variety of interesting activities both inside and outside the classroom. On entry to the school, nearly all pupils have Welsh speaking skills that are below what is expected."

"During their time at the school, most make sound progress in their communication, mathematics and digital skills and, by the end of their time at the school, they develop to speak confidently in both Welsh and English. Many pupils’ reading skills develop appropriately; however, they do not always understand the meaning of text when reading in Welsh. Most pupils show a mature respect for the presentation of their work and their care and handwriting are a strong feature. Provision to support the learning skills of pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) is extremely effective. As a result, most make good progress over time. Maintaining a proactive relationship with all families is a priority for the headteacher and staff and this is reflected in the swift response to occasional cases. This contributes effectively to strengthening the good working relationship between the school and parents."

Estyn made 1 recommendation: (1) Develop Welsh reading provision to support pupils to improve their understanding of texts across all areas of learning.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ysgol Pen Y Pil are Trowbridge Primary School (0.2 miles), St John Lloyd R.C. Primary School (0.2 miles), Meadowlane Primary School (0.5 miles) and Oakfield Primary School (0.5 miles).

The nearest railway station is Heath High Level Rail Station, about 3.1 miles away in a straight line.

21 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Pensarn Road (before), 60 metres away.