The brand new Ysgol Cynefin has opened its doors to pupils and staff – providing a vibrant new home for specialist education in Cardiff.
Delivered in partnership with the Welsh Government through the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme and built by Kier, the state‑of‑the‑art £23 million landmark development provides a modern, inspiring learning environment designed around the needs, wellbeing and aspirations of children and young people with additional learning needs (ALN).
Formerly known as The Court School, Ysgol Cynefin now operates across two purpose‑built sites in Fairwater and Llanrumney, welcoming pupils into bright, accessible, single‑storey buildings that place inclusion, creativity and belonging at the heart of everyday school life.
Designed with pupils firmly at its heart, Ysgol Cynefin is a school where every child is encouraged to grow, express themselves and feel a strong sense of belonging, laying the foundations for positive futures both in and beyond education. Both sites boast an exceptional range of facilities, including modern classrooms, multi‑use games areas, sports pitches, a sensory room, and carefully landscaped outdoor learning spaces. These high‑quality environments support learning beyond the classroom, helping pupils to build independence, develop skills and enjoy a rich, well‑rounded school experience.
Some of the comments from pupils have included; “I love it. There are so many places to go”, “the new play areas are AMAZING!”, “It’s so much bigger than before!”
The name Cynefin, meaning habitat, reflects the school’s ethos and design, celebrating the connection between people, place and the natural world. From the moment pupils arrive, the school offers an environment where they can feel safe, confident and supported to thrive.
Headteacher Mr Jamyn Beesley said: “Our new sites in the East and the West of the city look incredible and I’m delighted that we’re finally there! It’s been an absolute joy working alongside talented and dedicated professionals and we really feel like we’ve listened to.
“It’s been a long period of planning that has involved co-construction and refining, and I really appreciate the feedback and support from our knowledgeable and passionate staff team. We are already seeing the positive impact of the innovative design, and our pupils are LOVING the new facilities, especially the new sensory room and play equipment.”
The development significantly expands specialist provision in the city, increasing capacity from 42 to 72 places. This expansion forms a key part of Cardiff Council’s wider programme to meet rising demand for specialist education and ensure that children and young people with additional learning needs can access the right support, at the right time, close to home.
Cardiff’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry said:
“This is a hugely exciting time for pupils, staff and the school community, with Ysgol Cynefin representing a significant step forward for specialist education in Cardiff.
“This exceptional new school has been designed with pupils’ wellbeing, confidence and future potential at its heart, providing inspiring learning environments that support both educational and emotional development.
“By investing in high‑quality, sustainable facilities and expanding specialist provision, we are ensuring that more children and young people with additional learning needs can access the support they need to thrive, now and for years to come.”
Ysgol Cynefin also sets a new standard for sustainable school design in Cardiff. The school pioneers the use of Cross‑Laminated Timber (CLT) — an innovative, low‑carbon construction material that reduces emissions, improves energy efficiency and enables faster, low‑waste building. Combined with biophilic design principles, the result is a calm, nurturing setting that supports emotional health and wellbeing while demonstrating the city’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
Ian Rees, regional director for Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: “We are incredibly proud to have delivered Ysgol Cynefin’s two new schools, creating high-quality, inclusive environments where children and young people with additional learning needs can thrive.
“At Kier, we know that truly inclusive learning environments can transform outcomes and our teams worked closely with both Cardiff Council and the existing school community to achieve this.
“From robust, sustainable design to environments that promote confidence and independence, Ysgol Cynefin reflects the care, expertise and collaboration that underpin all of our specialist education projects.”
