Boost for language
RHONDDA Cynon Taf has unveiled a multimillion-pound package to help more children learn Welsh.
The Council’s cabinet will receive an update on the council’s spending plans for Welsh learning this week.
A SOUTH Wales council has unveiled a multi-million-pound package to help more children learn Welsh.
Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council’s cabinet will receive an update on the council’s spending plans for Welsh learning this week.
Members will consider a report on Thursday, outlining actions taken towards the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP).
RCT has the most pupils being taught through the medium of Welsh when compared to four other local authorities in the Central South Consortium area.
This has been the case for the past three years, with 18.8% of learners having being taught via the medium of Welsh in the county borough during 2020.
However, a council report also shows most of RCT’s Welsh-medium primary schools have surplus places.
The council has committed to investing £3.69m at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg (YGG) Aberdar, with support from the 21st Century Schools and Colleges programme to provide a further 48 places.
It has also formed Ysgol Garth Olwg as a 3-19 school to enable the primary school to expand into the surplus space available in the secondary sector.
It’s planned that Dolau Primary will expand to provide 540 places in response to local housing developments, while the capacity of Penderyn Primary will increase in September 2021 when it becomes solely a Welshmedium school.
The council has also committed to building a new Welsh-medium primary school on the site of Heol y Celyn Primary, with a planned investment of £10.7m.
Increasing the quality and availability of early years Welsh-medium provision, co-located at primary schools, has also been a priority with £4m being invested recently.
Investment includes funding for a new childcare setting at YGG Abercynon, a dedicated Cylch Meithrin at YGG Aberdar and providing dedicated Flying Start and childcare services at Ysgol Llanhari.
In addition, YGG Evan James, YGG Ynyswen, YGG Dolau and YGG Llantrisant will benefit from new facilities and remodelling for additional childcare and/or Flying Start provision.
Bosses say the majority of Welsh- medium secondary schools in RCT also have places available, with 23.1% excess spaces. Despite this, the council said action is being taken at Ysgol Rhydywaun where a growth in capacity is needed.
The local authority is also planning a £12.13m investment by using funding to increase the school’s capacity from 1,040 to 1,225.
This will be achieved via additional teaching accommodation and sports facilities. It is expected that project will be complete ahead of the 2022/23 academic year.
The council’s education cabinet member Joy Rosser said: “The council remains committed to contributing to Welsh Government’s Cymraeg 2050 vision to achieve one million Welsh speakers in 30 years’ time.
“Locally, we are working towards this goal by ensuring the availability of Welsh- medium education provision from the early years right through to primary and secondary education.
“The council will continue to monitor the numbers of learners attending Welsh-medium schools, and will be looking ahead to the new WESP which will be consulted upon later this year – to replace the current plan beyond 2021.”
The report also outlines recent investment in Welsh-medium education via the council’s Capital Programme, including refurbishments, remodelling and new buildings.
Examples of recently delivered projects include works at YGG Tonyrefail and YGG Llwyncelyn in Porth.