Temporary classrooms built at city high school

PUPILS at a city high school will be taught in portable classrooms as part of a £1.87m plan when they return after the Easter break.

The temporary classroom complex has already been built at Cantonian High School in Fairwater but needs formal approval.

That approval is due to be given by planners on Wednesday.

The complex is made up of seven teaching blocks grouped closely together in a single storey, as well as portable toilets and a detached canteen/kitchen building.

It is expected that 650 students will use the facility when they return after the Easter break.

The buildings will be grey and are being built on playing fields.

As part of the consultation process, South Wales Police have submitted concerns.

They say “temporary classrooms such as portable buildings are notoriously difficult to secure due to their construction”.

“The fact that the portable buildings are located within the school perimeter and protected by the perimeter fence along with the buildings being connected to an intruder alarm will help to make the buildings less vulnerable to crime and anti-social behaviour,” the force added.

They have made a number of recommendations including that the temporary buildings should be removed as soon as possible after work at the main school has been completed.

The Sports Council for Wales has said that while it is a temporary measure, “the school will retain sufficient playing field area to meet the Schools Premises Regulations”.

In December, Education Secretary Kirsty Williams announced that £500,000 would be given to the council to pay for the temporary “superblock”. The total project cost is £1m.

Cantonian High had to close to pupils temporarily at the start of this academic year after an electrical fault was found in some classrooms.

The temporary accommodation, which will be used for three years, will cost £623,333 a year, consisting of £481,000 for the “superblock” of classrooms and £142,333 for the catering unit, totalling £1.87m over three years.

Planning committee meets on Wednesday.