Ysgol y Traeth, Gwynedd

Ysgol y Traeth 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 186 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

19% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 8% have additional learning needs (15% in 2020/21); and 7% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 14 pupils (Year 1) to 31 (Year 6).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £5,103 per pupil, against £3,818 in 2021-22. It carried forward £84k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its June 2023 inspection summarises Ysgol y Traeth like this:

"Ysgol y Traeth is passionate about developing, assisting and supporting its learners to succeed in a safe environment that respects everyone. The attitude of staff and pupils of belonging to the town and the wider community is embedded in the school’s curriculum and ethos. All staff have an effective working relationship with pupils, which promotes good attitudes to learning and well-being, in addition to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. Pupils’ well-being is given extremely purposeful attention. Staff have a sound awareness of the needs of nearly all pupils and respond to their needs in a timely manner. Provision for pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) is effective and responds well to their needs. As a result, pupils’ behaviour and attitudes to learning are positive."

"They feel proud of their school and its community. Most pupils make good progress from their starting points. Pupils’ Welsh language skills are developing increasingly well. Staff have implemented a number of strategies to increase pupils’ confidence to speak Welsh with increasing confidence and foster a Welsh culture in the classroom and beyond. However, in less formal situations, most pupils turn to English naturally when communicating with each other. Most pupils develop their literacy, numeracy and digital skills appropriately by the end of their time at the school. Staff plan interesting activities to engage pupils’ interest."

"However, teachers do not always ensure regular opportunities to develop and extend pupils’ independent writing skills. The school has also begun to plan to apply these skills across the curriculum, but it has not planned constructively and purposefully enough to ensure progress and an appropriate challenge to meet pupils’ needs. The headteacher and new deputy headteacher have a clear vision that gives the school a clear direction. There is a dedicated team of staff who model excellent language for pupils. They work together highly effectively and are keen to develop professionally."

Estyn made 3 recommendations: (1) Address the safeguarding issue that was raised during the inspection; (2) Provide more opportunities for pupils to develop their extended writing skills and develop their Welsh language skills; (3) Ensure development and progress in pupils’ skills across the school.

The nearest railway station is Barmouth Rail Station, about 350 metres away (roughly a 4-minute walk).

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is North Avenue, 120 metres away.