Ysgol Llyn Derw, the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s new sixth form for pupils with Additional Learning Needs, has officially opened after a visit by the Welsh Government Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language for its unveiling.
The school, on land near Cosmeston Country Park, has been created in response to exceptional demand for specialist post-16 education provision in the Vale of Glamorgan. Named by pupils, it is an additional site for Ysgol y Deri in Penarth, which was the subject of the BBC documentary A Special School.
The facility forms part of the council’s ongoing work with the Welsh Government through the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, which aims to increase the number of specialist education places available across Wales. It was delivered in partnership with contractors Morgan Sindall.
Cllr Rhiannon Birch, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Education, Arts and the Welsh Language, said: “The opening of Ysgol Llyn Derw marks an important milestone for education in the Vale of Glamorgan and, most importantly, for the pupils and families who will benefit from this outstanding new facility.
“The demand for specialist ALN provision has grown significantly, and this new sixth form site will provide much-needed additional capacity while ensuring that pupils with complex needs can access a high-quality learning environment designed around their individual needs.
“The new school also demonstrates our approach to creating sustainable and environmentally responsible schools, in line with the Council’s Project Zero goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. From solar panels and energy-efficient materials to green roofs, new planting and measures to support local wildlife, environmental considerations have been embedded throughout the design. These features will not only help reduce the school’s carbon impact, but also create a greener environment for pupils to learn and spend time in.
“It is also particularly fitting that the school has been named by pupils themselves, reflecting the importance of putting young people at the heart of this development. Ysgol Llyn Derw builds on the success and ethos of Ysgol y Deri, creating further opportunities for young people to learn, develop their independence and prepare for their futures.”
Welsh Government Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language Anna Brychan said: “It was a pleasure to visit Ysgol Llyn Derw and see this fantastic example of inclusive school design giving pupils the state-of-the-art facilities and supportive environment they deserve. This £22 million investment, with its commitment to Net Zero Carbon, reflects our Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme and our determination to ensure every learner can thrive. I wish staff, learners, and the wider community every success as they begin this new chapter beneath a truly impressive new roof.”
Spread across two storeys, the building has been designed to maintain a compact footprint while maximising opportunities for outdoor learning. Ground-floor classrooms connect directly with external learning spaces, and upper-floor classrooms benefit from natural daylight and views towards the surrounding environment. Inside, a neutral colour palette has been used to create a calm environment for pupils with additional learning needs.
Outside, green roofs have been incorporated to increase biodiversity. Bird and bat boxes, alongside dedicated spaces for insects, have been installed to support local wildlife, while new trees and wildflowers will enhance the school’s green spaces. Solar panels and a hybrid generator will provide energy for the site.
The school will provide a purpose-designed environment in which pupils can continue their education beyond the age of 16, with facilities designed to support their learning, wellbeing, independence and preparation for life beyond school.
