Construction of the new £60 million Willows High School in Splott is progressing well, with the state of the art facility on course to open in October 2026.
The new school, located off Lewis Road, will replace the existing Willows High School and continue a long educational tradition in the area that dates back to the historic Splott Road School, which first opened in 1882.
A link to that history will be preserved through the relocation of the original school bell. The bell, which once served the former Splott Road Secondary Modern before pupils moved to the current Willows High School in 1967, will be transferred to the new site after being displayed outside the existing school for many years.
The school’s name continues to honour Ernest Willows, the pioneering airship designer with strong links to the area, whose achievements helped put Cardiff on the global map in the early 20th century.
His legacy has also influenced the design of the new school. At its heart will be “The VIP Lounge”, a community hub that will host activities for pupils, families and local residents, including wellbeing sessions, skills courses and community events aimed at bringing people together and reducing social isolation.
The new school logo also reflects the area’s identity, incorporating the Triquetra Celtic knot to symbolise land, sea and sky while echoing the propellers of Ernest Willows’ pioneering airships. The interwoven design also celebrates the multicultural community of Splott.
Work on the development began in October 2024 and is being delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction through Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.
When completed, the school will accommodate up to 900 pupils aged 11 to 16, alongside a 30 place Special Resource Base for learners with complex learning needs.
The new facilities will include modern classrooms, a sports hall, gym, drama studio, recording studio and outdoor sports pitches. Many of these facilities will also be available for community use outside school hours.
The building is being constructed to Net Zero Carbon standards and the project is also creating local jobs, apprenticeships and STEM engagement opportunities for young people.
Headteacher Chris Norman said: “All of us at Willows are looking forward to moving into our new building in October. We know how vital it is that every young person feels they truly belong and this new facility has been designed to be an environment where our pupils can feel safe and valued, be inspired to believe in their potential and achieve their ambitions.
“For our staff, it is a recognition of their unwavering dedication and a renewed environment in which to continue transforming lives. For our families and wider community, it stands as a powerful statement that our children deserve the very best opportunities. As we look to the future of Willows High, it is gratifying to know that we have been able to incorporate elements of its past in the design.”
Cardiff Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry, said: “It’s fantastic to see the new Willows High School taking shape and progressing so well. This is a major investment in the future of our young people and the wider Splott community. The new facilities will provide an outstanding environment for teaching and learning, while also creating a valuable community hub that brings people together.
“It is particularly pleasing to see that the historic school bell will move to the new site, ensuring that the proud heritage of education in Splott continues to be recognised for generations to come.”
