Decision details

The Temporary Service Director of 21st Century Schools and Transformation provided Cabinet Members with an update on the proposals to reorganise schools in the Greater Pontypridd area. 

The Temporary Service Director spoke of the following proposals:

·       The alteration of the age range of pupils that may be admitted to Cardinal Newman RC Comprehensive School, from 11–19 years to 11–16 years, resulting in the removal of the sixth form provision;

·       The closure of Pontypridd High School and Cilfynydd Primary School and the creation of a new 3–16 ‘all through’ School on the site of the current Pontypridd High School.  There will be no sixth form provision at this school;

·       The closure of Hawthorn High School and Hawthorn Primary School and the creation of a new 3–16 ‘all through’ School on the site of the current Hawthorn High and Hawthorn Primary Schools, with the Local Authority designated ALN specialist class located in Hawthorn High School, as well as the current pupils receiving education through the medium of English at Heol y Celyn Primary School transferring to the new school.  There will be no sixth form provision at this school; and

·       The closure of Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pont Sion Norton and Heol y Celyn Primary School and the opening of a new Welsh medium Primary School on the site of the current Heol y Celyn Primary School.

The Temporary Service Director referred Members to Section 4 of the report and reported the changes that had taken place since approval was granted by Cabinet in July 2019. It was explained that following delays, work to progress the proposals had recommenced and a re-programming exercise undertaken, the outcome of which was that the implementation date for the 3 proposals that gained Cabinet approval would be delayed until September 2024.

The Cabinet Member for Education and Inclusion Services commented that it was unfortunate that the Judicial Review had delayed progression of the new facilities. The Cabinet Member commented that the Council is responsible for delivering high educational standards and efficient primary, secondary and sixth form education provision that serves the local community and is achieved by ensuring that the right schools, are the right size, are in the right location, and are fit for the 21st Century learner.

The Service Director, Democratic Services and Communication informed the Cabinet that should the report be approved, agreement would be sought from the Presiding Officer, to exempt the report from the 3 working day call-in period, to allow for the completion and submission of the Outline Business Cases to Welsh Government by July 2021, for the next stage of the funding the 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note the information contained within the report;

2.    To note the impact of the Judicial Review on programme and costs;

3.    To delay the implementation date of the proposals in all schools, with the exception of Cardinal Newman CS School, to September 2024; and

4.    To note that Outline Business Cases for each of the projects will be submitted to Welsh Government for consideration in July 2021 with a decision expected in August 2021.