Cardiff Council Executive has approved recommendations to proceed with the publication of a statutory notice on the reorganisation of schools in Whitchurch.
The Council recently consulted on proposals to reduce the number of surplus English-medium places in Whitchurch, to establish Whitchurch High School at a capacity appropriate for its catchment population and to meet the rising demand for Welsh-medium education.
A public consultation was carried out on the initial three options at the end of 2009 including a series of meetings, public drop-in sessions and exhibitions. The consultation was extended in February 2010 when a fourth modified option was developed by officers taking account of the views expressed during the consultation process. All views expressed at Council-organised meetings and on paper or electronically through the appropriate channels have been recorded.
Following consideration of responses received to the consultation on all four options, the Executive have agreed to proceed with Option 4 and the publication of a statutory notice to:
- Reduce the size of Whitchurch High School in size from 12 forms of entry (FE) to 10 forms of entry (FE) from September 2015 with a first phase of implementation to 11 FE from September 2012
- Close Eglwys Wen and Eglwys Newydd Primary Schools and replace these schools with a 2.5FE English-medium primary school with nursery by investment in the premises currently shared between Eglwys Wen and Ysgol Melin Gruffydd, from September 2012
- Transfer Ysgol Melin Gruffydd Primary School into the premises currently occupied by Eglwys Newydd, with investment, as a 2FE Welsh-medium school, with nursery, from September 2012
When published, the notice will state the period within which objections to the proposals may be lodged.
Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Cllr Freda Salway, said: “The publication of statutory notices to progress Option 4 of the reorganisation of schools in Whitchurch is another step closer to achieving a better match between supply and demand for both English-medium and Welsh-medium education provision in this part of the city.
“This proposal will create schools that have capacities appropriate for their catchment populations while retaining all existing school land in use for school purposes. There will also be considerable investment in the schools affected by this proposal.”
