The Council will progress proposals to expand its primary school provision to prepare for future demand from the Llanilid housing development – this includes establishing a brand new Welsh Medium school and expanding capacity in the current Dolau Primary School. It follows Cabinet’s consideration of the feedback received during a recent consultation.
In July 2024, Cabinet considered latest education proposals for the local area, needed to cater for a housing developer’s plans to build 1,850 homes on the former Llanilid open cast coal site. The development is progressing with more than 400 houses already built, and it will also involve creating several other amenities including a primary school.
The Council’s education proposals are shaped by Welsh Government’s Cymraeg 2050 Strategy and its own Welsh in Education Strategic Plan. They will be delivered no later than the 2027/28 academic year, and would include:
- Establishing a new Welsh Medium primary school for 3-11 year-olds as part of the Llanilid housing development, with a capacity for 480 statutory school age pupils plus 60 nursery places.
- Changing the language medium of Dolau Primary School from dual-language to English Medium. It would have an increased capacity for 488 statutory age pupils plus 63 nursery places, delivered via small scale adaptations to repurpose current spaces.
A consultation into the proposals took place from September 9 to October 25, under the arrangements of Welsh Government’s School Organisation Code. A detailed consultation report was then presented to Cabinet on Wednesday, November 20. The full report is available to view on the Council website here.
As part of the consultation, a meeting was held with staff and the Governing Body at Dolau Primary School, along with a separate School Council meeting. A public ‘drop-in’ session was also arranged so residents could discuss the proposals with officers, and complete a survey. The key themes from these face-to-face meetings were recorded and included in the consultation report.
In total, 99 written responses were received throughout the wider consultation – with 50 in agreement with the proposals, 37 against, and the remainder saying they were unsure (10) or not providing an answer to this question (2). Meanwhile, Estyn’s response considered that the Council’s proposals would likely maintain the current standards of the education provision in the area.
The consultation report includes a summary of the responses received in the process, and responds to any issues raised. It also provides the recorded minutes of the face-to-face school meetings, as well as Estyn’s full response.
Having considered all of the feedback, Cabinet Members agreed with officer recommendations at Wednesday’s meeting – to progress the proposals to the next stage. This includes publication of an appropriate Statutory Notice – that covers establishing a new Welsh Medium primary school and a converting Dolau Primary to an English Medium school only, with an increased capacity.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said: “The significant housing development earmarked for Llanilid will bring a major increase to the local population, and the Council has taken a very proactive approach to prepare extra Education provision for the area, that the 1,850 new homes will require. In the summer, Cabinet agreed to consult on exciting proposals that provide a solution, which include establishing a new Welsh Medium primary school.
“For Welsh language learning, the proposal would provide first-class facilities in a brand new setting fit for the 21st Century – and would vastly increase the number of Welsh Medium education places compared to the current offer. This conforms to Welsh Government’s ‘Cymraeg 2050’ vision, and the seven commitments of our Welsh in Education Strategic Plan. For those pupils opting for English Medium education, the very well-performing Dolau Primary School would be retained, with a capacity increase based on projected need.
“On Wednesday, Cabinet considered all of the information presented following the recent consultation. It is important to note that more than 50% of written respondents agreed with the proposals, while Estyn concluded that existing standards of education would likely be maintained if the proposals go ahead. In line with officer recommendations, Members progressed the proposals to the statutory notice stage, which is a key milestone for delivery by 2027/28.
“The Council has an excellent track record of delivering brand new education facilities, and the new Welsh Medium school serving Llanilid would become the latest. Recently, a £79.6m investment has been delivered across Beddau Hawthorn, Cilfynydd and Rhydyfelin, while Llanilltud Faerdref Primary and Penygawsi Primary have received brand new school buildings. Pontyclun Primary will benefit from a similar investment in 2025, while we’re also building a brand new school site for Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn y Forwyn.”
The new Welsh Medium school for Llanilid would have modern classrooms, fully-accessible and flexible facilities, space for Additional Learning Needs interventions, and areas for use by Dolau Primary and the community. Modern outdoor spaces will support the curriculum and improve traffic management.
The capital cost of the school would be met by the Community Infrastructure Levy, plus investment via Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. The minor investment needed at Dolau Primary would be met from the Council’s core budget. Any further funding, for instance Home to School Transport costs, would be identified as the project progresses.
Posted on 03/12/2024