Ysgol Penrhyncoch, Ceredigion

Ysgol Penrhyncoch 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 115 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

15% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 12% have additional learning needs (19% in 2020/21).

Year groups range from 10 pupils (Year 4) to 25 (Year 1).

Estyn's report on its September 2022 inspection summarises Ysgol Penrhyncoch like this:

"Ysgol Penrhyncoch is a welcoming village school that has close links with the local community. The headteacher and all staff contribute consistently to creating a caring and inclusive ethos. Nearly all pupils show positive attitudes to learning and, during their time at the school, many make sound progress. Pupils are beginning to make decisions about what they learn. However, on the whole, pupils, including those who are members of committees such as the school council, do not influence the school’s work regularly. Most pupils speak Welsh with increasing confidence in lessons, although a minority of the oldest pupils turn to English occasionally when discussing with their peers."

"Many develop their reading skills soundly. They develop and apply their writing skills in activities across the curriculum successfully. However, at times, the oldest pupils rely too much on writing guides, which hinder their ability to write freely and with increasing independence. They also do not improve the content of their work regularly enough after receiving feedback. Many pupils develop their numeracy skills suitably. On the whole, they develop digital skills appropriately, although the oldest pupils do not apply the full range of digital skills to the best of their ability."

"On the whole, teachers provide interesting lessons that engage pupils’ interest successfully. However, provision does not always challenge a few pupils to achieve to the best of their ability, particularly those at the top of the school. Teachers provide a wide variety of valuable opportunities for pupils to compete in the local community, for example by taking part in sports tournaments, local shows and eisteddfodau. Ysgol Penllwyn is federated with Ysgol Penrhyncoch. The headteacher, who works across both sites, embodies the motto ‘gyda’n gilydd, gallwn lwyddo’ (‘ together we can succeed’). Although the schools have their own unique communities, they also take pride in the fact that they are part of one federation and hold activities together for pupils and parents regularly."

Estyn made 3 recommendations: (1) Address the health and safety issue that was raised during the inspection; (2) Ensure that teachers’ expectations are high enough to support all pupils to achieve to the best of their ability; (3) Develop pupils’ independent learning skills, including their ability to make choices about their learning, improve their own work and influence the work of the school.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ysgol Penrhyncoch are Ysgol Rhydypennau (1.6 miles), Ysgol Comins Coch (2.2 miles), Ysgol Penllwyn (2.3 miles) and Ysgol Tal-y-bont (3.4 miles).

The nearest railway station is Bow Street, about 1.5 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Post Office (outside), 260 metres away.