Proposals are underway to deliver new build schools for Cantonian High School, Riverbank School and Woodlands High School on a shared site in Fairwater and members of the public are asked to share their views on the future of the joint educational campus.
The engagement process will provide an opportunity for people to share their ideas about the benefits and opportunities that are presented by the new campus and feedback will be considered in the development of its vision and how the schools will work best for the communities they serve.
The survey will also ask what parents think should be taught and how it should be delivered in line with a new curriculum for Wales to be rolled out in 2022/23.
Delivered under Cardiff Council and Welsh Governments 21st Century Education Investment Programme, proposals include:
- Replacing the Cantonian High School buildings with new build accommodation on the same site expanding the school from six forms of entry (6FE) to eight forms of entry (8FE) with sixth form provision for up to 250 pupils;
- Expanding the Specialist Resource Base (SRB) for learners with an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), hosted at Cantonian High School to 30 places in purpose built accommodation in the new school buildings;
- Relocating Woodlands High School to the Fairwater Campus site from its current site adjacent to Trelai Park and increasing the capacity from 140 places to 240 places in new build accommodation;
- Relocating Riverbank School to the Fairwater Campus site from its current site adjacent to Trelai Park, and increasing the capacity from 70 to 112 places in new build accommodation
Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council, and Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry, said: “The Fairwater Campus is an ambitious and unique project which will bring together three very different schools, each with their own identity, on one campus.
“The a first of its kind for Cardiff and beyond, the campus willbe one of the most educationally advanced institutions in the UK,providing a distinctcombination of learning which will allow each school to share facilities, expertise and teaching opportunities and provide an exceptional experience forstudents, staff and the community.
In December 2018, the Cabinet agreed a recommendation to hold public consultation on the proposals to build an education campus in Fairwater which would deliver new-build education accommodation for three Cardiff Schools.
As part of the Band B 21st Century Schools Programme, the need for additional secondary school places and Additional Learning Needs (ALN) places for children with complex learning needs has been identified.
Cllr Merry added: “Consideration will be given to the diverse range of learner needs with the aim that they feel safe with a clear sense of identity, and that they can recognise the importance of belongingnot only to their individual school but also, to the wider campus.
“Feedback from the engagement process willhelp the schools to design their curriculums and school buildings to support pupils to become ambitious, capable and ready to learn throughout their lives whilst championing healthy, confident individuals, ready to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of society.”
Pupil engagement activity has taken place involving pupils from all three schools as well as local primary schools in the Cantonian catchment area.
Cllr Merry added: “A significant amount of work has already been carried out to ensure children and young people have been able to share their views. This feedback will inform plans going forward, reinforcing our pledge to give young people a voice and highlights Cardiff’s Child Friendly City strategy, where the voices and rights of children are an integral part of decision making.
“Our 21stCentury schools are accessible for wider community use and now we want to know what is important to local people, residents and stakeholders who will also benefit from the new campus. This will influence where resources can bestsupport the future learning of students attending these schools but also shape provision for the local community.”
