Plans to create two new Primary Schools in Swansea could be going out to consultation later this month.
On Thursday (11th March) Swansea Council’s Cabinet will consider a report which recommends creating a new all-through English Medium Primary School and the establishment of a new Welsh Medium Primary School.
If Cabinet Members give the report the green light, stakeholders and the public will be able to have their say on the plans to merge two Infant schools and one junior school, creating a new all through English medium primary school.
Pentrepoeth Infants and Graig Infants School are set to merge with Pentrepoeth Juniors under the plans, with the new English Medium School operating out of the two existing Pentrepoeth sites.
If the outcome of that consultation is positive, a new Welsh medium school would be created on the vacated Graig site. This plan will also be subject to consultation.
Education Cabinet Member Mike Day said, “All-through primary provision is considered to offer significant educational benefits to pupils, and in a context of a challenging budgetary situation facing schools, gives schools the chance to use staff and resources more efficiently.
He added: “The proposal will also address the continually growing demand for Welsh medium education in the area.”
Currently Graig and Pentrepoeth Infants both feed into Pentrepoeth Junior School, a situation which is unique in Swansea. Providing all-through education where possible is Swansea Council policy.
An advantage is that parents have only to apply for a place once when their children start school. Pupils then stay in a single school with none of the transition issues that can happen when they move from infant to junior school.
With only one team of staff, their path through the curriculum can be more smoothly planned and monitored under the leadership of a single head teacher and governing body.
If, following consultation, Cabinet agree to create an all-through Primary school it would then be possible to use the vacated Graig Infants school building to develop a new Welsh medium primary school in the area which would help meet demand for Welsh Medium primary places which is already out-stripping supply.
If Cabinet agrees to go out to consultation on the proposals, people will get the chance to have their say. The results of the consultation will then be reported back to Cabinet.
Depending on the results of the consultation, the new schools could be up and running by September 2011.
The proposals are part of the Council’s QEd 2020 strategy which aims to deliver a step change in the condition of school buildings and facilities, and continue to raise educational standards for all learners.
