Pupils have moved into new Riverbank School and Woodlands High School buildings at Fairwater Community Campus in Cardiff, as part of the Western Learning Federation.
The schools, delivered by BESL, are designed for learners with Additional Learning Needs (ALN). Facilities include learning and wellbeing zones, an immersion room, learning resource centres, music and drama spaces, sensory movement and rebound therapy provision, staff wellness areas, family rooms, specialist therapy environments, and a vocational enterprise hub known as the Pontio.
Woodlands High School has a gym, activity studio, esports room and dedicated sixth form facilities. Riverbank School has a role play cabin.
Both schools relocated from former sites in Ely. Woodlands is expanding from 140 to 240 places and Riverbank from 70 to 112 places.
Completion of the schools marks the final phase of the Fairwater Community Campus development — the largest project delivered through Cardiff Council and Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning programme.
Wayne Murphy, Executive Headteacher at Western Learning Federation, said: “The move into our new buildings represents an exciting new chapter for Riverbank School and Woodlands High School as part of the Western Learning Federation. Fairwater Community Campus has been designed to create inspiring opportunities for our learners, with learning environments that support the development and application of skills through engaging experiences.
“Alongside outstanding specialist facilities and integrated support services, the campus will enable us to deliver an inclusive, exciting and skills-focused curriculum while maintaining the unique identity and ethos of each school.”
The campus brings together Cantonian High School, Woodlands High School and Riverbank School on one site. The schools operate as separate entities, each retaining its own identity, leadership and governing body. Cantonian High School provides mainstream secondary and post-16 education; Riverbank and Woodlands, as part of the Western Learning Federation, deliver specialist ALN provision.
Campus facilities include a community café, family and meeting spaces, a climbing wall, and a multi-agency hub bringing health and education professionals together on site.
Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry, said: “Today is a landmark moment for Cardiff as we welcome pupils into these exceptional new schools for the very first time. Riverbank School and Woodlands High School provide inspiring, purpose-built environments where children and young people can learn, develop confidence and achieve their potential.”
“Expanding our specialist provision is one of the key priorities in our ambition to create an education system that is inclusive, equitable and responsive to the needs of our growing city, helping ensure every child receives the opportunities they deserve.”
“Fairwater Community Campus is a transformational investment in Cardiff’s future. It brings together outstanding facilities, specialist expertise and community resources in one place, creating opportunities that will benefit learners, families and communities for generations to come.”
The campus will be a Net Zero Carbon and BREEAM Excellent facility, with outdoor growing areas and opportunities for pupils to engage with sustainability as part of their education.
