Plans to close two primary schools and create a new £15m one in Rhondda Cynon Taf have been given final approval. On Wednesday, June 22, cabinet approved plans to amalgamate Cefn Primary School and Craig yr Hesg Primary School in Glyncoch.
This will see the two current schools closed and the opening of a new, bigger community primary school to replace them. One objection was received to the proposal when the council published the notice of the plans but the recommendation is that it goes forward with the plans with no amendments.
The cabinet report for the meeting on Wednesday, June 22, says one of the reasons for the proposal is to “increase capacity and improve the quality of the English medium primary education provision available to learners in Glyncoch.” It is estimated that around £15m is needed to build the new school which will be funded by the council and Welsh Government ’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme with Welsh Government’s contribution being worth 81%.
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The council will have to part fund (35%) the capital costs on fit out including furniture and IT. The council said that the site that will be used to accommodate the new school will incorporate the existing Craig yr Hesg School site as well as the land adjacent to it (formerly the Ty Gwyn site).
It said that the land adjacent to the school is not large enough to accommodate a school without using the existing school site. Cabinet agreed to consult on the proposals back in December 2021 and in March 2022 cabinet agree to publish a statutory notice of the proposals with a period of objections running from April 4 to May 11.
The one objection said there is a strong feeling in this area that there is no Welsh medium primary school to meet the needs of the area. It said: “When the authority decided to close Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pont Sion Norton, campaigners were clear about the need for a Welsh-medium school for the area of Ynysybwl, Glyncoch, Coed-y-cwm, Trallwng and Cilfynydd.
“The council was asked to consider this site for such a school, also noting its perfect location for public transport. If the council commits itself to the target of one million Welsh speakers, what better way than to meet the need by changing the new school into a Welsh medium school or at least initially one with a growing Welsh stream.
“Has consideration been given to this, working with local campaigners and ensuring equal access to Welsh medium education in this part of the county?” In response, the council said it is “fully committed” in supporting the Welsh Government in achieving its Cymraeg 2050 target of creating one million Welsh speakers.
The council said the new Welsh medium primary school, which will open in September 2024 in Rhydyfelin, “has been designed to accommodate all pupils that wish to pursue a Welsh medium education from the areas listed. We have also ensured that there has been additional capacity designed into the new school to accommodate growth in the number of pupils attending to further support the Welsh Government’s overarching Cymraeg 2050 outcome,” the council said.
The council explained the reason for delivering a new English medium school in Glyncoch saying that the existing school buildings at Cefn and Craig yr Hesg primary schools require “significant repairs and are no longer fit-for-purpose” with collective outstanding maintenance costs of more than £783,000. The council said the age and construction of the buildings prevent either school from having any significant upgrades which would allow them to be deemed a “21st Century Schools provision.”
It said that the site of Cefn Primary and the school building itself is not accessible and does not comply with the Equality Act and that Craig yr Hesg Primary also requires significant improvement to comply with the Equality Act. It said the new school would be fully accessible and would include new outdoor facilities like a Multi Use Games Area.
The council said the school will be designed to be energy efficient and will be a “net zero Carbon” building adding that The report says: “The proposal to amalgamate Cefn and Craig yr Hesg primary schools by way of closing the two existing primary schools and opening a new, bigger community primary school will significantly improve English medium primary education in Glyncoch.
“A new 21st Century school with first class facilities will create a learning environment which nurtures and supports pupils and staff, it will deliver exciting opportunities for the community focussed schools’ agenda, and will also support us in realising our Net Zero Carbon targets.”
Councillor Rhys Lewis said the existing schools require significant repairs and are no longer fit for purpose. He said it’s “fantastic” the council is proposing a new school built to modern standards which will assist teachers and pupils deliver the new curriculum.
He said it is “excellent for Glyncoch and the wider catchment area” and that it will help the council assist their young people to achieve.
Councillor Doug Williams, Labour, who represents Glyncoch on the council, welcomed the report and said both schools are at capacity and the majority of people in Glyncoch welcome this school and can’t wait for it to open.
But Councillor Amanda Ellis, Plaid Cymru, who represents Ynysybwl, said parents have concerns about moving Welsh medium education with the closure of Ysgol Pont Sion Norton and the building of a new Welsh medium school in Rhydyfelin at the current Heol y Celyn site.
She urged council to consider new Welsh medium provision in this area and raised concern about travel to the new school in Rhydyfelin and the increase costs to families of this.
She asked how this was ensuring equity of access and choice and how it lined up with targets.
She said: “I urge council to reconsider by committing to develop Welsh medium education access at this site.”
A council officer said they are not behind their targets and they have a strategy to meet them.
Councillor Maureen Webber said the new building at Heol y Celyn will “greatly increase” the number of Welsh learners.
She said she is “fully supportive” of the proposal and said “our young people deserve the best education provision and environment that we can provide them with and this school will go some way to doing that”.
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