Ysgol y Cribarth, Abercrave

Ysgol y Cribarth is a bilingual (Welsh and English) school in Wales. Welsh schools are inspected by Estyn rather than Ofsted, and its latest report is published on Estyn's website.

It had 137 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

22% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 20% have additional learning needs (11% in 2020/21).

Year groups range from 15 pupils (Year 4) to 26 (Year 5).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £6,394 per pupil, against £4,400 in 2021-22. It carried forward £201k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its July 2023 inspection summarises Ysgol y Cribarth like this:

"Ysgol y Cribarth is a highly supportive and happy learning environment that places a high priority on the well-being of its pupils. In their time at the school, pupils develop positive attitudes to learning and an understanding of the importance of respecting others. Nearly all pupils feel safe and enjoy being at school. From varied starting points when they first join the school, many pupils build a range of skills and strategies that enables them to progress well and demonstrate effective skills in different areas, such as their digital and social skills. Leaders and staff know pupils well and use this information to ensure that all pupils are cared for. They maintain close links with parents, and this helps to create a harmonious community ethos at the school."

"The headteacher builds and sustains an inclusive school community. The positive relationships between pupils and staff encourage all pupils to show a responsible attitude in lessons and demonstrate excellent behaviour around the school. Pupils show high levels of interest in their lessons and enjoy the many authentic activities in which they participate. The school provides a broad and balanced range of learning experiences. This includes a wide choice of exciting extra-curricular activities and a variety of educational visits, which are used to enrich the curriculum. Many staff use questioning well to develop pupils’ understanding of different areas of learning and experiences."

"However, teachers do not always provide pupils with activities that are matched well enough to best meet their needs or provide useful and timely feedback to support them to achieve to the best of their ability. Senior leaders set a clear vision for the school. The school keeps its progress towards improvement goals under regular review although monitoring processes do not always result in bringing about identified improvements. Consequently, opportunities to support pupils to make progress in their skills are sometimes missed. Governors provide knowledgeable and committed support for the school. The school is at the heart of the community it serves and the governing body and leadership team, along with all staff and partners, work together well to focus on the needs of the pupils and their families."

Estyn made 3 recommendations: (1) Sharpen school improvement processes and act swiftly on areas for development; (2) Ensure that all teachers provide useful and timely feedback to support pupils to improve their learning; (3) Ensure that teachers provide sufficient challenge for pupils of all abilities.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ysgol y Cribarth are Blaendulais Primary School (2.5 miles), YGG Blaendulais (2.5 miles), Maesmarchog Community Primary School (2.8 miles) and Ysgol Gymraeg Dyffryn Y Glowyr (3.4 miles).

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Ysgol y Cribarth.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Bryn Seion (near), 210 metres away.