This inspiring achievement is the result of a dynamic collaboration between Cardiff Council’s Curriculum Team, The Impairments Team, Passport to the City, and UCAN (Unique Creative Arts Network) Productions.

Now in its second year, the programme began in 2023/24 as a pilot for 10 visually impaired learners, following UCAN’s selection as the mayoral charity by then-Mayor Bablin Molik. It has since grown into a comprehensive initiative supporting over 62 learners across six groups.

Hosted at the Ty Calon Centre (Specialist provision for pupils with ALN) in Whitchurch High School, the programme is designed to ensure every learner can participate and succeed at their own level, earning a nationally recognised qualification in the arts.

Weekly workshops, led by UCAN, have run since the autumn term for pupils in Years 9-13. The initiative is part-funded by Cardiff Council and further supported by Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry’s Cardiff Half Marathon fundraising efforts.

Cllr Merry said: “Cardiff is currently embarking on our most radical transformation of Additional Learning Needs provision seen in recent years. Programmes like this show how creative collaboration can unlock potential and give every learner the chance to shine.”

Sarah Williams, lead educator at Ty Calon, said: “It’s been such a joy to see the learners open up and express themselves with such joy.”

Paul Morgan, Assistant Headteacher at Whitchurch High School, added: “Being able to collaborate to give our young people these opportunities to excel and to achieve in their own right is invaluable.”

The graduation ceremony was held at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, offering a full university-style celebration complete with caps, gowns, speeches, and photographs, thanks to Passport to the City. The event was made even more memorable with a special performance by Rachel Starritt, UCAN alumna and acclaimed pianist, who played a medley of the learners’ favourite music from the project.

Looking ahead, the programme is set to expand in 2025/26 with support from the Cardiff Education Endowment Trust, reaching new learners at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf ALN Resource Base, the Marion Centre at The Bishop of Llandaff High School and the Western Federation, with continued leadership from the Curriculum Team.

In the words of one enthusiastic learner: “This has been the best – I’ve had so much fun!!”