Top 10 Best Schools in Caerphilly

Education in Caerphilly County Borough

Caerphilly county borough is home to a diverse network of schools serving communities from Caerphilly town itself up through the Rhymney, Sirhowy and Ebbw valleys. Families can choose between English-medium and Welsh-medium education, faith schools and community schools, and a growing number of modern all-through campuses built under the Welsh Government's Sustainable Communities for Learning programme. The introduction of the new Curriculum for Wales has placed fresh emphasis on wellbeing, creativity and real-world skills alongside traditional academic rigour. The schools below stand out for their results, their inspection reports and the strength of their communities.

1. St Cenydd Community School

Located in the Trecenydd area of Caerphilly, St Cenydd Community School is one of the town's largest secondary schools. It has invested heavily in performing arts and sport and is recognised for inclusive practice, including specialist provision for pupils with additional learning needs. Strong pastoral care and a broad sixth-form offer make it a popular choice for families in the town.

2. Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni

Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni is the Welsh-medium secondary school for the county borough, operating across two campuses at Fleur-de-Lis and Gellihaf. It consistently achieves strong examination results and is a flagship for bilingual education in the Valleys. Pupils benefit from a vibrant cultural life, with success in Eisteddfod competitions, music and sport, and many leave fully fluent in both Welsh and English, a real advantage in the Welsh jobs market.

3. Lewis School Pengam

With roots stretching back to the eighteenth century, Lewis School Pengam is one of the oldest schools in Wales. Historically a boys' grammar school, it is now a mixed comprehensive with a proud academic tradition. The school places emphasis on high expectations and has a well-regarded sixth form that sends students to leading universities.

4. Islwyn High School

Islwyn High School in Oakdale opened in a purpose-built campus that brought together former schools in the Sirhowy Valley. The modern facilities include specialist science laboratories, technology workshops and extensive sports provision. The school has focused on raising standards through a strong culture of aspiration and has quickly established a positive reputation in the community.

5. Heolddu Comprehensive School

Heolddu Comprehensive in Bargoed serves the upper Rhymney Valley and is known for its warm, supportive ethos. The school has developed strong vocational pathways alongside academic subjects, working with Coleg y Cymoedd to give students clear progression routes. Its commitment to wellbeing and community engagement has earned praise from inspectors.

6. St Martin's School

St Martin's School in Caerphilly is a well-established English-medium comprehensive with a track record of solid results and a wide extracurricular programme. It is particularly noted for its music and drama, and its Duke of Edinburgh Award participation is among the highest in the area. Families value its balance of academic focus and character development.

7. Risca Community Comprehensive School

Serving the Risca and Crosskeys communities in the south-east of the borough, Risca Community Comprehensive has built a reputation for strong leadership and steady improvement. The school works closely with local primary schools to ensure a smooth transition and has invested in digital learning to prepare pupils for a technology-driven future.

8. Ysgol Gymraeg Caerffili

Ysgol Gymraeg Caerffili is the Welsh-medium primary school in Caerphilly town and a feeder for Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni. It offers immersive Welsh-language education from nursery age, and its pupils consistently achieve well across the curriculum. The school is valued for its nurturing environment and its role in sustaining the Welsh language in the town.

9. Hendre Junior and Infant Schools

The Hendre schools in Caerphilly are among the most sought-after primary settings in the town. They are recognised for excellent teaching, strong parental engagement and a curriculum that blends literacy and numeracy with outdoor learning and the arts. Inspection reports have highlighted the quality of leadership and the confident, articulate pupils.

10. Cwm Ifor Primary School

Cwm Ifor Primary, located to the north of Caerphilly town, is a community primary that has embraced the new Curriculum for Wales with enthusiasm. It runs forest school sessions, wellbeing programmes and a range of clubs, and it has a reputation for supporting every child to make good progress. Its close-knit feel appeals to families who want a smaller school.

Trends in Caerphilly Education

Several trends are shaping schooling across the borough. Welsh-medium education continues to grow, supported by the national goal of a million Welsh speakers. Investment in new buildings has replaced ageing Victorian schools with light, energy-efficient campuses. The Curriculum for Wales has encouraged project-based learning and stronger links with local employers. Mental health and wellbeing have moved to the centre of school life, with dedicated staff and quieter spaces now standard in new developments.

How to Choose the Right School

Inspection reports from Estyn provide an independent view of each school's strengths, but nothing beats a personal visit. Attend open evenings, talk to current parents and consider the language of instruction, travel time and the extracurricular offer. Think about how the school supports children with additional needs and how it handles transition between phases. Caerphilly families are fortunate to have genuine choice, and the ten schools above show the breadth and quality of education available across the county borough.