Agenda item

To receive the report of the Chief Executive advising Members of the 21^st Century School proposals in respect of improving education provision in the Greater Pontypridd area.

The Head of 21^st Century Schools referred Members to the  report before them which looked to improve the quality of the education provision available in the Greater Pontypridd area of Rhondda Cynon Taf, by taking forward the following proposals, to which the Officer spoke through in detail:-

·         Develop post 16 centres of excellence based at Bryncelynnog Comprehensive School, Beddau and Coleg y Cymoedd, Nantgarw, investing £10m in new sixth form provision at Bryncelynnog;

·         Create two new 3-16 schools, in Pontypridd and Hawthorn, which will take a radically different approach to education in these areas, by sharing both primary and secondary sector resources, investing £16.7m in improved educational facilities;

·         Improve and increase Welsh medium primary provision by investing £10.7m in a new school to replace Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pont Sion Norton and the Welsh Medium stream of Heol Y Celyn Primary School.

Members were advised of a few typographical errors contained within the consultation document, however the officer confirmed that these had been addressed. Members were advised of the rationale for the decision and the necessary statutory consultation process that would need to be taken forward in respect of the proposals.

 The Cabinet Member for Education & Lifelong Learning commented upon the proposals and the detail contained within the report and consultation paper, adding that the Council needed to ensure that they were providing the best possible outcomes for all learners, as this is what they all deserved.  The Cabinet member commented on the drop in 6^th form numbers and the rationale for the proposals.  Reference was also made to the access for transport within the proposals.

Other Cabinet Members commented on the importance of undertaking the statutory consultation if the proposals were taken forward to ensure the opinion of those affected could be considered.

County Borough Councillors S Belzak &  L Walker also spoke on this item, to which the officers responded.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the information contained within the report.

2.     To commence consultation on the following specific proposals as outlined within the report:

a)    To close the sixth forms of Hawthorn High School, Pontypridd High School and Cardinal Newman RC Comprehensive School and transfer the post-16 provision to Bryncelynnog Comprehensive School or Coleg y Cymoedd, Nantgarw. It is proposed to invest £10m in improving the sixth form facilities at Bryncelynnog Comprehensive School. Those students who opt for a Roman Catholic education, can apply for sixth form provision at St David’s College, Cardiff, and home to school transport will be provided by the Council;

b)    To close Pontypridd High School and Cilfynydd Primary School and create a new 3-16 ‘all through’ school on the site of the current Pontypridd High School site, investing £4.7m in improved facilities;

·         Close Hawthorn High School, Hawthorn Primary School and Heol-Y-Celyn Primary School and create a new 3-16 ‘all through’ school on the site of the current Hawthorn High and Hawthorn Primary Schools, investing £12m in improved facilities. The local authority designated ALN specialist class located at Hawthorn High School will also transfer to the new school.

·         Close Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pont Sion Norton and construct a new £10.7m Welsh Medium Primary School building on the site of the current Heol-Y-Celyn Primary School. The pupils attending YGG Pont Sion Norton, together with those educated through the Welsh Medium at Heol-Y-Celyn will transfer to the new school, subject to parental preference. The Heol-Y-Celyn pupils educated through the English Medium will transfer to the new 3 – 16 school at Hawthorn, again subject to parental preference.

c)    That all the proposals will be implemented by 2022.

N.B

·         As referred in Minute 41 County Borough Councillor A Crimmings declared a personal and prejudicial interest and left the meeting for the duration of the item. 

·         County Borough Councillors M Webber, S Belzak and S Bradwick also declared personal interest as referenced in Minute 41.

·         County Borough Councillor S Belzek left the meeting at the conclusion of the item.