Ysgol Y Manod, Gwynedd

Ysgol Y Manod 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 91 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

12% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 9% have additional learning needs (28% in 2020/21); and 9% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 5 pupils (Reception) to 18 (Year 6).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £6,015 per pupil, against £4,297 in 2021-22. It carried forward £106k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its May 2024 inspection summarises Ysgol Y Manod like this:

"One of the notable qualities of Ysgol Y Manod is its caring and homely feel. All staff contribute successfully to creating a respectful and inclusive ethos. They are willing to listen to pupils’ concerns and respond to them appropriately at all times. Most pupils, including those with additional learning needs (ALN), make sound progress from their starting points. Those who are latecomers to the Welsh language gain the confidence to communicate quickly and make sound progress with the language. Staff provide a rich range of learning experiences that inspire and expand the horizons of most pupils. Pupils show a clear appreciation of the culture and history of the local area, along with pride in their school."

"The school has a distinct Welsh ethos. The acting headteacher provides caring and purposeful leadership. He is supported firmly by staff and an intelligent governing body who have a clear overview of the school’s strengths and areas for improvement. On the whole, the school’s priorities derive from leaders’ suitable knowledge of their school. However, processes for evaluating, planning and implementing improvement are not clear and specific enough. Many pupils develop their skills robustly and their work is displayed and celebrated attractively around the school. However, progress in pupils’ reading skills is limited."

"This hinders their ability to gather information from different texts and their enjoyment of reading. Staff have a sound understanding of each pupil’s progress. Overall, teachers do not provide enough opportunities for pupils to respond to feedback independently to improve their work and assume more responsibility for their learning. Throughout the school, in most lessons, pupils are dedicated and build on previous learning successfully. Most are prepared to discuss their views maturely with their peers and contribute their ideas successfully. However, pupils are not always given regular enough opportunities to play a leading part in contributing to the wider life and work of the school."

Estyn made 4 recommendations: (1) Strengthen evaluation, planning and implementation processes to respond to the school’s areas for improvement in a more specific and timely manner; (2) Expand opportunities for pupils to respond to teachers’ feedback independently to improve the quality of their work and make choices about how to present their learning; (3) Develop pupils’ reading skills; (4) Strengthen opportunities for pupils to influence the life and work of the school.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ysgol Y Manod are Ysgol Maenofferen (under 0.1 miles), Ysgol Gynradd Tanygrisiau (1.2 miles), Ysgol Bro Cynfal (2.4 miles) and Ysgol Edmwnd Prys (3.9 miles).

The nearest railway station is Blaenau Ffestiniog Rail Station, about 250 metres away (roughly a 3-minute walk).

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Lord Street (after), 110 metres away.