Ystruth Primary, Blaenau Gwent

Ystruth Primary 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 307 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

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

Of its pupils, 6% have additional learning needs (28% in 2020/21); and 4% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 22 pupils (Reception) to 51 (Year 3).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £6,838 per pupil, against £5,146 in 2021-22. It carried forward £9k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its March 2026 inspection summarises Ystruth Primary like this:

"The headteacher, alongside staff, help pupils to be happy, confident and ready to learn in an inclusive and respectful learning community. This contributes effectively to pupils’ respectful and positive attitudes to learning. As a result, pupils learn and play together well and feel a strong sense of belonging to the school, the local area and Wales. Many pupils, including those from low-income households and those with additional learning needs, including those in the Learning Resource Bases, make sound progress from different starting points. Teachers encourage and support pupils to learn in a calm and nurturing learning environments. Staff model the Welsh language well with pupils and provide valuable opportunities for them to learn about Welsh culture and heritage."

"In general, teachers do not support pupils to nurture and develop their thinking and independent learning skills well enough. Governors provide strong strategic oversight. They support and challenge leaders and staff thoughtfully. Leaders and staff monitor and evaluate the teaching and learning effectively and identify strengths and areas for development well. They prioritise what needs to be strengthened successfully and support staff to continue to develop their practice through useful professional learning. However, a few areas for improvement remain underdeveloped, including ensuring greater consistency in high-quality and cohesive provision to support pupils to extend their knowledge and develop their skills progressively over time."

"Leaders prioritise the importance of pupils attending school regularly and work with families and partners consistently. However, a few pupils do not attend regularly enough. Staff have beneficial working relationships with parents which help pupils to enjoy and share their learning experiences. This also ensures that the school is an important and integral part of the local community."

Estyn made 3 recommendations: (1) Improve attendance, especially for pupils who are eligible for free school meals and those with additional learning needs; (2) Further develop high quality teaching and assessment across the school to support all pupils to make strong progress; (3) Refine curriculum planning to ensure that pupils’ knowledge and skills are developed progressively.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ystruth Primary are ST Illtyd's (0.2 miles), Coed -y- Garn Primary School (0.8 miles), Blaen-Y-Cwm C.P. School (2.1 miles) and Cwm Primary School (2.1 miles).

The nearest railway station is Ebbw Vale Parkway Rail Station, about 1.9 miles away in a straight line.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Blaina Junior School (outside), 90 metres away.