Hundreds of new places for children with additional learning needs in Cardiff are being planned for the city’s schools. The council said the proposals are in response to growing numbers of children needing educational, emotional and other additional needs support.
A report outlining plans for primary, secondary and special schools acknowledges the growing number of learners with complex learning needs, autism spectrum conditions and emotional health and wellbeing needs. It says the plans aim to address increased demand for specialist places across Cardiff.
As well as the extra 200 ALN places proposed, there are plans to move part of the city’s pupil referral unit, and a city primary, to the old Fitzalan site. The secondary school moves to a new building in Leckwith Road in September.
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If agreed the PRU would move in to part of the old Fitzalan school next term and Lansdowne Primary pupils would move into another part of the site, temporarily, at a date yet to be agreed, to allow their building to be refurbished.
Laying out the plans Cardiff Council said there is as yet no overall budget for the work. The report makes recommendations to be considered by the council’s cabinet, including conducting public consultations on a range of plans which would allow places to be increased by the following:
- 60 primary-age placements for learners with complex learning needs and/ or autism spectrum conditions
- 64 primary-age placements for learners with emotional health and wellbeing needs
- 142 secondary-age and post-16 placements for learners with emotional health and wellbeing needs
Proposals for a phased increase in the number of Additional Learning Needs Places for learners with Emotional Health and Wellbeing Needs include establishing a Specialist Resource Base (SRB) at the following schools from September 2024, in existing school buildings:
- 8 places at Baden Powell Primary School
- 8 places at Fairwater Primary School to replace the existing Wellbeing Class.
- 16 places at Herbert Thompson Primary School
- 16 places at Lakeside Primary School to replace the existing Wellbeing Class.
- 8 places at Springwood Primary School to replace the existing Wellbeing Class.
- 8 places at Ysgol Gymraeg Pwll Coch to replace the existing Wellbeing Class.
- 20 places at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr
- Greenhill Special School would increase from 64 places to 96 places operating as a single school for learners aged 11-18 across two sites including the current site at Heol Brynglas, Rhiwbina, and a new site at Ty Glas Avenue, Llanishen from September 2026.
The council is also proposing to expand Cardiff’s Pupil Referral Unit, supporting learners with a range of emotional health and wellbeing needs, increasing it to 180 places, from September 2023. For a temporary period the extended PRU would be located on part of the site currently occupied by Fitzalan High School, from September 2023, in addition to the Cefn Road site, Mynachdy.
The enlarged PRU is proposed to operate as a single establishment for learners aged 11-18 across three sites including the current site for up to 90 learners including the Cefn Road site, plus 48 learners in new-build accommodation on part of the site currently occupied by Willows High School from September 2027, and 42 learners in a new provision at Oak House, St Mellons.
The council will also consult next term on plans for Lansdowne Primary School to “potentially” occupy a separate part of the current Fitzalan site, on a temporary basis, whilst the existing Lansdowne school buildings undergo essential repairs.
Proposals are being looked at to work out how much work is needed on the current Fitzalan High School site to ensure it is suitable for the primary school and the PRU, and the potential timescales for all the work. If cabinet members agree the council said it will work with Lansdowne Primary governors to minimise any impact on teaching and learning for pupils.
Proposals for a phased increase in the number of ALN places for learners with complex learning needs include establishing a school resource base at the following schools from September 2024 in existing school buildings:
- 20 places at Coed Glas Primary School
- 20 places at Greenway Primary School
- 20 places at Severn Primary School
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