Proposals to federate St Mellons Church in Wales Primary School with The Saints Federation have been revealed, a move aimed at securing long-term leadership, improving educational outcomes, and accelerating school improvement in East Cardiff.
The Saints Federation, comprising All Saints’ Church in Wales Primary School and St David’s Church in Wales Primary School, has demonstrated strong leadership and collaborative success since its formation in February 2024. The proposed federation would formalise the existing partnership between The Saints Federation and St Mellons CW Primary School, which has already seen positive impacts through shared leadership arrangements.
Councillor Sarah Merry, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “This proposal builds on the successful collaboration already in place and represents a significant step forward in ensuring high-quality, sustainable education for children in the east of the city. It’s about school improvement and creating a stronger, more resilient school community that can share expertise and resources to benefit all pupils.”
In February 2025, Estyn placed St Mellons CW Primary School in Special Measures, citing the need for stable and effective leadership. The proposed federation directly addresses this recommendation by securing the current leadership structure and enhancing leadership capacity across all levels.
The federation would not result in any changes to school locations or pupil admissions but would enable the schools to work together on shared priorities, pool resources, and deliver improved educational outcomes. It also supports Cardiff’s Welsh in Education Strategic Plan and the national Cymraeg 2050 strategy by enhancing Welsh language provision across the schools.
Cllr Merry added: “This is a strategic move to ensure that all three schools continue to thrive. By working together, we can deliver on the Estyn recommendations and provide a stable, high-quality learning environment for all pupils.”
The proposal is currently in the consultation phase, with engagement already underway with school governors, diocesan authorities, and local stakeholders. A joint working group will be established to guide the process, and formal consultation with parents, staff, and the wider community will follow.
Research and practice has demonstrated the benefits of collaborations, federations, and other arrangements where schools are brought together to deliver education. This has included the ESTYN thematic review (2019) and the Federation Process of Maintained Schools Guidance for Local Authorities and Schools (2023) which critically considered the research and concluded the following key benefits:
- Strong strategic leadership, governance and management structures to focus on teaching, learning and raising standards
- Broader learning and social experiences for learners
- Attractive recruitment opportunities and retention of staff
- New opportunities for staff to work together, increasing motivation, reducing workload through shared planning and activities
- The sharing of resources
- Shared responsibilities and accountabilities for children across communities
- Extended services across schools and a variety of activities, childcare, parent support and community access supporting community cohesion and helping to sustain education provision
Engagement on the proposals has already begun with the governing bodies of St Mellon’s Church in Wales and The Saints Federation. The Monmouth Diocese and Head of Education for the Llandaff and Monmouth Diocese have also been consulted and are supportive of the proposal.
A joint committee/working group would be established to work with the Local Authority on the proposal consisting of representatives from each school/governing. Formal consultation would also take place with all stakeholders as part of this process.
The Cabinet will be recommended to authorise the consultation process at its meeting on Thursday 19th June 2025.
