Ysgol Y Faenol, Denbighshire

Ysgol Y Faenol 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 150 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

23% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 19% are learning English as an additional language; and 22% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 12 pupils (Year 4) to 23 (Year 2).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £5,253 per pupil, against £4,660 in 2021-22. It ended 2024-25 with a deficit of £10k.

Estyn's report on its June 2025 inspection summarises Ysgol Y Faenol like this:

"The headteacher has high expectations of staff and pupils and leads by example. Leaders have a clear vision that is shared by staff, pupils and governors that focuses on the well- being and progress of all pupils. Staff foster a nurturing, inclusive environment where pupils feel safe and valued. They maintain strong working relationships with pupils and their families, ensuring a supportive community that contributes successfully to pupils' confidence and eagerness to learn. Most pupils make good progress from their individual starting points, including those pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) and those from low-income households. Most learning activities meet pupils’ needs well."

"Over time, staff have developed a broad and stimulating curriculum centred around creativity and developing pupils’ skills. They provide a wide range of opportunities for pupils to apply the skills they acquire to their work across the curriculum. This includes valuable opportunities for the youngest pupils to develop a range of skills appropriately through play-based activities. Across the school, teachers use feedback effectively to support pupils to improve their work during lessons and to prepare them as they move to their next stage of learning. The school’s provision for pupils with ALN is a strength. Staff consider the needs of pupils carefully and make any necessary changes to classrooms and learning to ensure that the needs of all pupils are met."

"Visitors provide appropriate opportunities for pupils to learn about the world beyond the classroom. Pupils participate in beneficial enterprise projects, although links to the local community are less developed. Leaders have a sound understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for improvement. The headteacher places a strong emphasis on professional learning, which in turn assists staff to contribute effectively to the school improvement process. Leaders place a high priority on attendance and work with families to ensure their children attend school regularly."

Estyn made 1 recommendation: (1) Further develop links with the local community.

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are a busy, friendly school, with lots going on. Please feel free to leave comments in the Guestbook, or contact the school direct with any queries you may have. Thank you for visiting! An 'alertDismissed' token is used to prevent certain alerts from re-appearing if they have been dismissed. An 'awsUploads' object is used to facilitate file uploads."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include ukulele, eco club, knitting and homework club.

The school runs a breakfast club.

Coming up: an open day on Saturday 7 November 2026 and an open day on Monday 9 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ysgol Y Faenol are St George Controlled Primary School (1.2 miles), Ysgol Cefn Meiriadog (1.5 miles), Ysgol Y Castell (2.4 miles) and Ysgol Esgob Morgan C.I.W. Voluntary Controlled Primary School (2.4 miles).

The nearest railway station is Abergele & Pensarn Rail Station, about 3.5 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Artillery Row (adjacent), 60 metres away.