The construction of the new £60 million Willows High in Splott has reached a major milestone with a traditional “topping out” ceremony marking the completion of the highest point of the build.
To honour the occasion, a ceremonial tree was gifted to the school, symbolising growth and new beginnings. The event was jointly hosted by Cardiff Council and Morgan Sindall Construction, the contractor responsible for the design and delivery of the state-of-the-art facility.
The new Willows High is one of the latest projects delivered as part of Cardiff Council and Welsh Government’s Band B Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. Once completed, it will accommodate 900 learners aged 11 to 16, along with a 30-place Special Resource Base for pupils with Complex Learning Needs.
Designed to foster excellence in education, the school will feature modern teaching environments and extensive sports facilities including a sports hall, gym, drama studio, and grass pitches – all available for community use outside school hours. Enhanced pedestrian infrastructure will also support active travel to and from the site.
Sustainability is also at the heart of the project with the new school being built to Net Zero Carbon standards in both Embodied and operationally, aligning with the Welsh Government’s ambitious environmental goals.
The ceremony was attended by Cardiff Council Leader Cllr Huw Thomas, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education Cllr Sarah Merry, and Willows High Headteacher Chris Norman, alongside representatives from Welsh Government, school governors, local councillors, and pupils.
Headteacher Chris Norman said: “We are so thrilled to get to this stage of the development as it takes us one step closer to providing our staff and pupils with a first-class educational environment.
“We have been privileged to have been part of this journey from the very beginning and seeing how good the building looks already is very exciting. I am sure it will be an inspiring environment where our pupils and the entire community will be able to flourish.”
Cardiff Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education said: “This is a proud moment for the Willows community. The new school represents a bold step forward in delivering inclusive, high-quality education, resources and expertise for our young people, in a space where they can thrive.
“This project reflects a substantial investment in the local area, benefiting the entire community with enhanced facilities, including sports fields accessible for public use.
Pupils and stakeholders have also selected a new logo and branding for the school, reflecting its fresh identity and future-forward ethos.
