The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) has formally agreed plans to set up a centre for Autistic children, alongside the Bishop of Llandaff High School, following the publication of a statutory notice by the school’s Governing Body in November 2009.
The final decision was passed to the Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning, Leighton Andrews AM, following objections received to the statutory notice detailing the proposed changes.
The plans approved by the Assembly are:
- To make an alteration to Bishop of Llandaff Church In Wales High School by adding an Autism Centre on the school site in new build accommodation.
- The ‘Marion Centre’ for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder will admit pupils of both sexes, aged mainly 11 to 19 years.
- It is intended that the proposal will be implemented from September 2011.
Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Councillor Freda Salway, said: “I welcome the Minister’s decision and am pleased we can now progress with these plans. This centre is the first step in an exciting new future for pupils with autism in Cardiff. As well as providing extra help in areas of communication and social skills, this centre will give children with autism a new, dedicated unit, specialising in their education needs.”
The new site will be in addition to the £13m Ty Gwyn Special School and Respite Care Centre based on Vincent Road, Ely, Cardiff, which is expected to open in September 2010.
Councillor Salway added: “Bishop of Llandaff High School has not previously had any specialist resource provisions on site and I know the governing body and headteacher have welcomed the opportunity to place an autism centre on site and have worked closely with the Local Education Authority on this exciting project.”
