Cardiff Council Executive is to consider 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.
The report to be considered at their next meeting on April 8 informs the Executive of the responses received to the consultation on all four options.
Following consideration of the consultation responses, officers are recommending that the Executive consider agreeing 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 new 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
Chief Schools and Lifelong Learning Officer, Chris Jones, said: “Officers believe that Option 4 achieves the original objectives set by the Council while keeping all existing school land in use for school purposes.
“This option also facilitates a smooth transition to new arrangements, allows for flexibility to respond to any future growth in pupil numbers and delivers nearly £13m of capital investment, a sum proportionate to the scale of the reorganisation now proposed.”
