Ysgol Tanycastell, Gwynedd

Ysgol Tanycastell 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 73 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 14% have additional learning needs (27% in 2020/21).

Year groups range from 6 pupils (Year 2) to 13 (Year 4).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £6,177 per pupil, against £4,644 in 2021-22. It carried forward £65k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its May 2022 inspection summarises Ysgol Tanycastell like this:

"Ysgol Gynradd Tanycastell is a happy and homely school. All staff work together effectively to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that fosters a supportive and hard-working learning ethos where staff and pupils care naturally for each other. Pupils are happy to attend, behave well, develop positive attitudes to learning and make sound progress. Despite the obvious challenges that the school has faced as a result of the pandemic, the sense of a close-knit community among parents, staff and pupils has meant that it has faced these challenges with obvious resilience. The school has a strong Welsh ethos and a clear emphasis on providing a range of valuable experiences that reflect the nature and context of the school successfully."

"As a result, pupils show pride in their school and a clear appreciation of the culture and history of the local area. Following the lockdown periods, teachers have identified a decline in pupils’ Welsh literacy skills and have given a clear priority to ensuring that they regain their oracy skills quickly since returning to the school. Teachers provide rich and stimulating learning experiences that engage most pupils’ interest. This enables them to develop the skills that they need to access the whole curriculum. Pupils enjoy the opportunities they are given to influence what they would like to learn within the term’s theme, which ensures that they are eager to learn and show an interest and pride in their work."

"However, pupils are only just beginning to evaluate and improve their own work independently. The headteacher provides effectively leadership, which provides a clear direction for the school. She receives strong support from the dedicated staff, who work well together as a team. They show a strong commitment to promoting continuous and sustainable improvements. Governors have a good understanding of the school’s work and support the school effectively."

Estyn made 2 recommendations: (1) Strengthen provision to develop pupils’ reading and extended writing skills in Welsh across the school; (2) Ensure regular opportunities for pupils to evaluate and improve their own work independently.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ysgol Tanycastell are Ysgol Gynradd Llanbedr (2.5 miles), Ysgol Talsarnau (3.6 miles) and Ysgol Borthygest (4.2 miles).

The nearest railway station is Harlech Rail Station, about 490 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).

1 bus stop is within a five-minute walk; the closest is Maes Parcio Cefn-coed (outside), 90 metres away.