Ysgol Y Gorlan, Gwynedd

Ysgol Y Gorlan 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 111 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

10% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 18% have additional learning needs.

Year groups range from 10 pupils (Reception) to 17 (Year 1).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £5,993 per pupil, against £4,272 in 2021-22. It carried forward £125k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its January 2023 inspection summarises Ysgol Y Gorlan like this:

"Ysgol y Gorlan is a happy, caring and family community. One of the school’s most effective features is that staff support the emotional well-being of all pupils and provide them with a well-rounded education successfully. They work together effectively to provide a friendly and inclusive ethos where pupils behave politely and respectfully. Nearly all pupils treat their peers, staff and visitors with care. Most pupils show a positive attitude to learning and make sound progress from their starting points. Most pupils have a say in school life and work effectively with each other and adults when planning rich learning experiences. They make sound progress during lessons and activities that inspire them to do their best."

"However, pupils do not develop their extended numeracy skills as they move through the school. Pupils across the school develop their digital and creative skills well and older pupils develop a sound understanding of the culture, history and geography of their local area or ‘cynefin’. The school’s creative vision is to develop the curriculum and the sound emphasis on shared values supports teachers and staff to provide a rich range of interesting learning experiences. This engages and maintains pupils’ enthusiasm and meets their needs successfully. The school’s provision for the use of the Welsh language is an obvious strength. However, teachers’ feedback does not always provide opportunities for pupils to reflect on their work and make increasingly challenging improvements to their learning. The headteacher and leaders share a clear vision to provide a well-rounded education based on supporting pupils’ well-being and working together for the future."

"They focus well on ensuring that all staff feel that they are part of the school team. This ensures that everyone understands the school’s priorities and work together supportively. However, the school’s self-evaluation and planning for improvement arrangements are not effective enough to identify its strengths and areas for improvement. Most governors work well with leaders to support staff and the headteacher on day-to-day arrangements. However, members of the governing body are not involved effectively enough in the school’s strategic planning to drive the changes that are needed."

Estyn made 4 recommendations: (1) Provide regular opportunities for pupils to apply their numeracy skills across the curriculum; (2) Provide specific feedback for pupils to extend their work to the best of their ability; (3) Ensure self-evaluation and planning arrangements so that the school can identify its strengths and areas for improvement; (4) Ensure that governors are involved in the school’s strategic planning to drive the changes that are needed.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ysgol Y Gorlan are Ysgol Eifion Wyn (under 0.1 miles), Ysgol Borthygest (1 mile), Ysgol Cefn Coch (2.8 miles) and Ysgol Talsarnau (3.4 miles).

The nearest railway station is Porthmadog Rail Station, about 260 metres away (roughly a 3-minute walk).

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Sportsman (outside), 40 metres away.