A report will be considered by the local authority’s Cabinet Members when they meet next Thursday, January 24. The report recommends that the project is taken forward, after public engagement on the proposals was held towards the end of last year.
The indicative proposal is for a new school with the same capacity as the current Lawrenny Avenue site. It would be 10 form entry, accommodating up to 1,500 students between the age of 11 and 16, plus a sixth form.
Expected to be completed in 2022, the new school would also offer comprehensive sports facilities, including a multi-use games area, 3G pitches and an indoor swimming pool. These, and other facilities at the school, would be available for the public to hire for use outside school hours.
Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council, and Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry, said:
“This proposal to build a new Fitzalan High is one of the first of a series of schemes that will be delivered under our £284m Band B, 21stCentury Schools and Education Programme.
“The brand new home for Fitzalan would provide state-of-the art facilities, ensuring that students at the school will have access to the best quality learning environment to support and enhance teaching and learning.
“Jointly funded by the Welsh Government, Band B represents the largest ever single investment in our schools. Through this investment we can build on the momentum from the £164m we have put into new schools over the last five years, and take our 21stCentury Schools and Education Programme to another level.
“Our Capital Ambition makes a clear commitment to invest in improving and expanding our schools. This will not only meet the needs of a rapidly growing population, it addresses the historic maintenance backlog in school buildings. The proposal being put forward for a new Fitzalan is just the start of the next phase of our schools investment, and signals the beginning of a huge building programme that will deliver new primary schools and new secondary schools, in mainstream and special needs education.”
The report to be considered by Cabinet recommends that the Fitzalan High School proposal progresses to the procurement stage of implementation.
Exact designs and site layout for the school would be developed in partnership with stakeholders, and subject to planning.
A full copy of the report is available to view online at www.cardiff.gov.uk/meetings.
