Ysgol Pencae, Cardiff

Ysgol Pencae 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 205 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 5% have additional learning needs (14% in 2020/21); and 8% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 28 pupils (Year 4) to 31 (Year 5).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £4,724 per pupil, against £3,798 in 2021-22. It carried forward £75k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its May 2025 inspection summarises Ysgol Pencae like this:

"Ysgol Pencae provides a caring and inclusive environment for pupils to thrive in a familial community. Almost all pupils feel safe and happy at the school. All staff have high expectations of behaviour, and as a result, almost all behave excellently and demonstrate positive and mature attitudes to peers that are very empathetic. The headteacher, with the support of the deputy headteacher, leads the school effectively. Staff work together successfully to provide pupils with an interesting curriculum. As a result, most make sound progress in developing their literacy, numeracy and digital skills, as well as other skills."

"Most pupils like to learn and persevere well with their tasks. They try to find solutions themselves before turning to adults for help. However, in general, the youngest pupils’ staff tend to over-lead the learning, at times. The older pupils’ staff develop successful independent learners who find a solution themselves before turning to adults for support. Staff teach pupils successfully about the differences that exist between people. This means that almost every pupil comes to understand that there are people in the world who are different from them."

"Staff provide many opportunities for pupils to make decisions about their learning and about other aspects of school life. Leaders know the school well and know what works well and what needs to be improved. They put very successful arrangements in place to improve those things. Governors support and challenge leaders appropriately. They visit the school regularly to observe in sessions, and talk to pupils and staff. They also work closely with the headteacher, which also helps them to understand what is happening at the school."

Estyn made 1 recommendation: (1) Provide purposeful opportunities for the youngest pupils to develop their independent learning skills, including in the outdoor area.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ysgol Pencae are Hawthorn Primary School (0.5 miles), Ysgol Glan Ceubal (0.5 miles), Llandaff City C.I.W. Primary School (0.5 miles) and Danescourt Primary School (0.5 miles).

The nearest railway station is Danescourt Rail Station, about 410 metres away (roughly a 5-minute walk).

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Ysgol Pencae (near), 50 metres away.