Ysgol Rhos Helyg, Flintshire

Ysgol Rhos Helyg 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 76 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 13% have additional learning needs (32% in 2020/21).

Year groups range from 7 pupils (Year 6) to 12 (Year 4).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £6,432 per pupil, against £4,202 in 2021-22. It carried forward £29k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its November 2024 inspection summarises Ysgol Rhos Helyg like this:

"The headteacher at Rhos Helyg Primary School prioritises pupils' well-being. Staff foster a nurturing, inclusive environment where all pupils feel safe and valued. They maintain strong relationships with pupils and their families, ensuring a supportive community that contributes to pupils' confidence and eagerness to learn. Pupils demonstrate exemplary behaviour and respect for others. Leaders and staff provide effective support for pupils with additional learning needs (ALN), working closely with external agencies and using targeted strategies to ensure progress. This approach helps pupils with ALN to make good progress academically and socially. The school emphasises the development of pupils’ speaking, listening, reading, and mathematical skills."

"Most pupils show strong progress in their communication skills, with older pupils engaging confidently in class discussions. The school's focus on reading fosters a love of books, and pupils develop a solid understanding of mathematical concepts. However, opportunities for pupils to apply numeracy skills across subjects are limited. The provision for the development of digital skills is inconsistent, particularly for older pupils, hindering their progress in this area. The curriculum reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of the community, offering varied opportunities for pupils to explore different religions and values. Pupils also have opportunities for leadership roles, contributing meaningfully to school life, such as selecting playground toys through the school council. Most pupils work collaboratively and show perseverance when problem-solving."

"However, opportunities for independent learning are occasionally restricted by staff over- directing activities. Leaders have a clear understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for development and use a range of self-evaluation tools well to facilitate school improvement. For example, their recent work to improve provision for reading has been effective. However, they do not always ensure there is a sharp enough focus on important areas for improvement, such as the lack of challenge and pace in lessons. As a result, older pupils do not always make as much progress as they could. Governors support the school effectively, ensuring resources are well deployed to support learning and well-being. They monitor pupil development grant expenditure closely and use it to enrich pupils’ experiences."

Estyn made 2 recommendations: (1) Use monitoring processes more effectively to identify opportunities to improve aspects of teaching and learning; (2) Continue to develop older pupils’ digital and independent learning skills.

From the headteacher's welcome: "Ysgol Rhos Helyg is situated in the hamlet of Berth Ddu and serves a wide rural community including the villages of Rhosesmor, Halkyn and Pentre Halkyn. The school aims to provide a learning environment of excellence, in which all pupils acheive their full potential. We are a happy and friendly school, with lots going on."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, cricket, choir and gardening.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ysgol Rhos Helyg are Ysgol Owen Jones C.P. (2 miles), Cornist Park C.P. School (2.4 miles), Gwynedd C.P. School (2.7 miles) and St Mary's R.C. Primary School (2.8 miles).

The nearest railway station is Flint Rail Station, about 3 miles away in a straight line.

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Rhos Helyg School (after), 80 metres away.