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Latest progress towards £284m school investment for Cardiff

The implementation of Cardiff's multi-million pound school investment programme is set to move a step closer as the Cabinet meets to consider recommendations on how the programme will be managed. 

Jointly funded by Cardiff Council and Welsh Government, the Band B 21stCentury Schools and Education Programme will see £284m invested in the city to build new schools and expand existing buildings. 

Explaining the recommendations in the Cabinet report, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Merry, said: "The size, scale and complexity of our £284m Band B 21stCentury Schools and Education programme is significantly greater than anything previously seen in Cardiff, and bigger than any other local authority programme in Wales. It is vitally important that we build capacity in the team overseeing the programme to ensure value for money and maximising efficiency. 

"This is the largest single investment in Cardiff schools. It presents significant opportunities to bring long lasting benefit to education in the city, and to the wider community. With the right project management capacity in place, we can look forward to the successful delivery of our five year, Band B programme, starting next year." 

Projects under Cardiff's Band B 21stCentury Schools and Education Programme 

Secondary Schools

  • Rebuilding and expanding four high schools - Fitzalan, Willows, Cathays and Cantonian
  • Expanding Cardiff High to accommodate 1,500 pupils, up from the current 1,200, plus sixth form 

Primary Schools

  • Nant Caerau, Fairwater and Pen y Pil doubling in size, with each being able to accommodate 420 pupils, plus nursery
  • St Mary the Virgin will be rebuilt, doubling in size from its current 210 pupil capacity 

Special Schools

Cardiff's Band B proposals include an expansion and re-shaping of special needs provision for the city. Four new special schools will be built, realigning provision to best meet the needs of children and young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties, autism, severe and complex learning disabilities and emotional health and wellbeing needs. 

Each project would subject to consultation, procurement and planning before timescales are decided. 

The need for additional schools is also included in the council's Local Development Plan. It is projected that 10 new primary schools and two new secondary schools are required as a result of significant growth in the city's population. Some temporary measures may also be needed to accommodate demand in the early part of this growth. 

An additional £25m of capital funding was introduced in April, assisting with maintaining Cardiff's existing schools over the next five years. 

Cabinet will discuss the report when it meets on Thursday, July 12. A full copy is available to read online at www.cardiff.gov.uk/meetings.