Purpose

 At its meeting on 23 March 2023 the Council’s Cabinet authorised officers to consult on proposals to reorganise primary school provision serving Cathays and parts of Gabalfa, Heath, Llandaff North and Plasnewydd.

It was noted that officers would bring a report on the outcome of the consultation to a future meeting to seek authorisation as to whether to proceed to publish proposals in accordance with section 48 of The School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013

This report summarises the views expressed during the consultation with recommendations regarding how to proceed.

Decision

Cllr Chris Weaver and Norma Mackie declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item, as  Governors at Gladstone Primary School, Cllr Weaver and Mackie left the room for consideration for consideration of this item.

Cllrs Burke declared a personal interest in this item, as her children attend a school in an affected ward.

Cllr Merry declared a personal interest in this item, as she is ward member for the area.

Cllr Sangani declared a personal interest in this item, as she is award member for and affected area.

RESOLVED: that

1. the consideration by the Governing Body of St Monica’s Church in Wales Primary School of the proposal to transfer St Monica’s Church in Wales Primary School to the current Ysgol Mynydd Bychan site and establish nursery provision at the school, from September 2025 be noted.
2. Subject to the agreement of the Governing Body of St Monica’s Church in Wales Primary School to proceed to publish its proposals, Officers be authorised to proceed to publish proposals in accordance with section 48 of The School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 on proposals to:

·       Transfer Ysgol Mynydd Bychan to the current Allensbank Primary School site.

·       Increase the capacity of Ysgol Mynydd Bychan from 192 places (0.9FE) to 420 places (2FE) and increase the number of nursery places at Ysgol Mynydd Bychan from 64 to 96.

·       Amalgamate Allensbank and Gladstone Primary Schools:

• Formally Close Allensbank Primary School.
• Formally Close Gladstone Primary School.
• Establish a new 420 place (2FE) English-medium Primary School with nursery on the current shared Gladstone Primary School / St Monica’s Church in Wales Primary School site.

The proposed changes would take effect from September 2025.

1. It be noted that, prior to implementation of the proposals, financial resources must be identified to facilitate the process of organisational change of establishing the new two form entry primary school and the transfer of St Monica’s Church in Wales Primary School.
2. It be noted that, prior to implementation of the proposals, a further report will be provided to the Cabinet providing details of any objections received, the proposed responses to those objections and recommendations for implementation or otherwise of the proposals, and sources of funding for the full set of proposals.