Cabinet Members have approved the proposed names put forward for newly-forming schools in Clydach Vale and Glyn-coch – following recommendations made by the temporary governing bodies of the two respective schools.
At the Cabinet meeting on Monday, December 15, an officer report informed Members of the consultation processes undertaken by the headteachers and governing bodies of the new schools, which will open in time for the 2026/27 academic year. They have followed the protocol for setting and changing school names under the Council’s policy, that has been in place since 2012.
Both consultations saw the headteachers meet with pupils to discuss ideas and make suggestions for the new school names. This conforms to a key part of the Council’s policy, that pupils should play a leading role in the process.
New ultra-sustainable school for Glyn-coch
Craig yr Hesg Primary School and Cefn Primary School will jointly form a new English Medium primary school. Construction work got underway in May 2025 and continues to progress, with the erection of the building’s timber frame ongoing and the installation of the roof, windows and doors now underway. The project is at the forefront of sustainable development in Wales, and will contribute to the Council and Welsh Government’s shared climate change commitments. It is one of only three projects in Wales to secure investment via Welsh Government’s Sustainable Schools Challenge.
Following consultation with the school councils of the two existing schools in Glyn-coch, the temporary governing body also engaged with stakeholders and the wider community. Suggestions were put forward by parents, pupils, staff members, local residents, and school governors. In total, 183 people completed a form as part of the over-arching consultation process.
The most popular name was ‘Glyn-coch Primary School’ and, in the spirit of a bilingual Wales and ongoing promotion of the Welsh language, the temporary government body proposed that a Welsh-only name should be put forward. This also conforms to Welsh Government’s ‘Cymraeg 2050’ ambitions and the underlying principles of the new Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act.
Therefore, the new school name that was proposed to Cabinet was ‘Ysgol Gynradd Glyn-coch’ – and this was approved by Members on Monday.
New Additional Learning Needs School in Clydach Vale
The Council is establishing its fifth ALN school to respond to the increasing number of ALN learners in Rhondda Cynon Taf, the growing complexity of pupils’ needs, and capacity pressures at the four existing ALN schools. It will benefit from a new building at the Pavilions site in Clydach Vale. Construction work is progressing well, having recently reached the building’s highest section, with part of the roof now complete and windows being installed. The project is funded via the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.
Following consultation with the school councils at Ysgol Hen Felin and Ysgol Ty Coch, a list of potential school names was suggested – and the temporary governing body decided to take four names forward to a public consultation. In total, 213 people subsequently completed as part of this consultation. They included parents, pupils, staff members, local residents and school governors.
The temporary governing body met in November 2025 and took everything into consideration – from the consultation feedback to the pupils’ input.
The new school name that was proposed to Cabinet was ‘Ysgol Cambrian’ – and this was subsequently approved by Members during Monday’s meeting.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Inclusion and the Welsh Language, said: “I’m pleased that Cabinet has supported the proposed names for the new schools in Glyn-coch and Clydach Vale, as an important phase in their development processes. The respective headteachers can now progress with actions like developing new school colours, badges and uniforms, which will be used prominently to establish recognised identities that will be used for generations to come.
“Cabinet was satisfied that the respective headteachers and temporary governing bodies have followed the correct process, and the Council’s policy on naming schools that has been in place for many years. These are very exciting times with the two modern buildings progressing very well in the construction phase. I’m looking forward to seeing further progress, and for Ysgol Gynradd Glyn-coch and Ysgol Cambrian to open their doors next year.
“These projects are among the next tranche of nine school investments to be delivered by the Council, within a £414 million funding commitment for the years ahead. We continue to welcome Welsh Government’s support to make this significant level of investment possible. We’ve also recently appointed main contractors for new school buildings at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda, Ysgol Llanhari and Penrhys Primary School, which are currently being designed. Our delivered projects since 2014, combined with the committed funding up to 2033, totals almost £1 billion – a staggering investment in our young people over a 20-period.”
