Three schools in Wales that were once rated as excellent by education inspectors are now judged to be in need of significant improvement, the second highest level of monitoring by the education watchdog Estyn. Bryngwyn School and Ysgol Glan-y-Môr in Carmarthenshire, along with Ysgol Tŷ Coch special school in Rhondda Cynon Taf, were among 34 schools and education providers honoured for excellence in the 2016-17 academic year after achieving the highest possible rating for performance and prospects for improvement.
Changing Fortunes
A decade later, the fortunes of all three schools have shifted. Their most recent Estyn reports, published in 2025 and 2026, find them in need of significant improvement. While inspection frameworks have changed since the earlier glowing reports, making direct comparisons difficult, the challenges are clear.
Bryngwyn School in Llanelli and Ysgol Glan-y-Môr in Burry Port operate as a federation, with more than 1,500 pupils between them. In its latest Estyn report, published earlier this year, Bryngwyn was described as having "an inclusive and supportive community where pupils feel valued and are well cared for," but inspectors judged it overall in need of significant improvement and made six recommendations.
Teaching and Attendance Concerns
Among the recommendations, Bryngwyn must improve the quality of teaching and assessment, improve attendance, and strengthen accountability and leadership at all levels. The report notes that most teachers establish supportive relationships, but a minority do not plan effectively or have high enough expectations, leading to limited progress for some pupils. "While a few pupils demonstrate strong reading, writing and mathematical skills, a minority of pupils do not make the expected progress in these skills," the report adds.
At Ysgol Glan-y-Môr, the most recent report describes teaching as too variable and says leaders do not plan well enough for clear progression in literacy, numeracy, and digital skills. Support for pupil wellbeing is a strong feature, and pastoral work has reduced poor behaviour and exclusions, but "low attendance, including that of pupils eligible for free school meals, remains a significant concern." Inspectors found most pupils arrive on time and settle quickly, but a minority do not engage well or maintain concentration. "Overall, many pupils take pride in the presentation of their work but a minority have weak or immature handwriting and produce carelessly presented work," the report states. Six recommendations were made for improvement.
Special School Under Pressure
Ysgol Tŷ Coch special school in Tonteg, Rhondda Cynon Taf, had 242 pupils aged three to 19 with autism, multiple learning difficulties, physical and medical difficulties, and sensory impairments when last inspected in March 2025—100 more pupils than in 2017 when it was rated excellent. By 2025, it was deemed in need of significant improvement. The report notes that the school's nurturing ethos contributes strongly to pupils' personal development, but expansion has placed pressure on the physical environment, leading to the loss of specialist areas like the sensory integration room and life skills kitchen. Inspectors said the school needs to improve teaching and learning consistency, establish a consistent communication system, work with the local authority to improve the learning environment, and strengthen leadership.
Post-Pandemic Context
All three inspections took place after the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected school attendance across Wales and the UK. Schools have also faced budget pressures and staff recruitment and retention issues. A spokesperson for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said: "Whilst we are disappointed that Ysgol Ty Coch has been highlighted as needing 'significant improvement', we thank Estyn for their recommendations and for acknowledging the positive way the school is supporting learners." The council noted that the school has undergone significant change and that a new headteacher has begun implementing positive changes. A new ALN school, Ysgol Cambrian, due to open this year, will help address space concerns.
A spokesperson for Carmarthenshire County Council said: "We accept Estyn's findings and will continue to work closely with the governing body, school leaders and staff of both schools to support the improvements identified in the reports. While comparisons with previous inspections are understandable, they should be treated with caution as they were carried out nearly a decade apart, under different Estyn inspection frameworks."
