Primary schools will provide a state-of-the-art experience
Hundreds of pupils and staff have started this term in brand-new primary schools that opened in Cardiff this term as part of the city’s 21st Century Schools programme.
Gabalfa Primary School, Howardian Primary School, Ysgol Gymraeg Glan Ceubal and Ysgol Gymraeg Glan Morfa have all moved into their new purpose-built, permanent homes in a £22.6m programme.
Ysgol Gymraeg Glan Ceubal and Gabalfa Primary School had to delay opening in their joint new building for one week while work was completed. It eventually opened in the second week of term.
The four schools have been built as part of Cardiff’s Band A 21st Century Schools programme, totalling £164m and jointly funded by Cardiff Council and Welsh Government.
Two further new schools will be opening during the school year. Ysgol Gymraeg Hamadryad is expected to open in Butetown after Christmas, while Cardiff West Community High School is planned to move to its new home in Caerau during the Easter school holidays next spring.
Cardiff Council announced its next phase of the 21st Century Schools programme at the end of last year. At a total of £284m, Band B represents the largest single investment in Cardiff’s schools.
Councillor Sarah Merry, deputy leader of Cardiff Council and cabinet member for education, employment and skills, said: “The £284m investment in our schools is the biggest Cardiff has ever seen.
“Not only will our next round of investment allow us to continue to renew our schools, replacing those that are reaching the end of their operational life, but it will also enable us to provide more school places across all sectors – primary, secondary, additional learning needs, English-medium and Welsh-medium – creating the extra capacity that will be needed as Cardiff ’s population continues to grow.”
YSGOL GYMRAEG GLAN MORFA, SPLOTT
The new £7.8m Ysgol Gymraeg Glan Morfa on Lewis Road in Splott, can accommodate up to 420 pupils, across two classes per year, from reception class to Year Six, and provide 80 part-time nursery places.
Ysgol Glan Morfa moved from its previous location on nearby Moorland Road over the summer.
Headteacher Meilir Tomos said: “I would like to thank Morgan Sindall and Cardiff Council for giving us a fantastic new home here in the heart of Splott.
“This building represents the growth and demand in Welsh-medium education in this part of the city and I and my staff are delighted to be a part of this wonderful new era.
“The children are over the moon about this building, as it gives them more educational opportunities and a more successful future.”
HOWARDIAN PRIMARY SCHOOL, PENYLAN
A £6.6m project has created a new home for Howardian Primary School, next to its previous temporary location on Hammond Way in Penylan.
It has space for 420 pupils, in two classes per year, from reception to Year Six, as well as offering 48 nursery places.
Headteacher Dr Helen Hoyle said: “The children love their new building – they skipped into their new classrooms excitedly on the first day. They are particularly excited about our multi-use games area, the new outside classroom made of wood and the designated area on the playground for scooting.
“Staff are equally excited about the bespoke learning and teaching areas that they have been able to create. Outdoor learning is a passion at Howardian and we’re looking forward to developing the land around the school into an extension of the classroom.”
GABALFA PRIMARY SCHOOL & YSGOL GYMRAEG GLAN CEUBAL, LLANDAFF NORTH
Built at a cost of £8.2m, this new school provides accommodation for both Gabalfa Primary School and Ysgol Glan Ceubal in a shared layout design.
Both of the new schools are one form entry, and each can accommodate up to 210 pupils, from reception class through to Year Six, as well as offering nursery provision. The new schools have been built on land between the previous sites of Gabalfa Primary and Ysgol Glan Ceubal, on Colwill Road in Llandaff North.
In a joint statement, Carrie Jenkins, headteacher of Gabalfa Primary School, and Lisa Mead, headteacher of Ysgol Gymraeg Glan Ceubal, said: “It’s been a very exciting week for both school communities as we opened the doors for the very first time to our innovative, community-focused shared learning space. The pupils and parents were thrilled with the design and feel of the building. They were particularly impressed with the flow and the light and airy nature of the various learning spaces.”