The Council is delighted to announce that Ysgol Cambrian in Clydach Vale has opened to pupils and staff today – becoming the fifth Additional Learning Needs School in Rhondda Cynon Taf. It has opened on a state-of-the-art new site thanks to a major investment by the Council and Welsh Government.
The impressive school was handed to the Council last week by contractor Morgan Sindall Construction, following completion of the construction phase. Officers have continued to support the school with the transition into the new building and the setup of facilities over the past week – with staff also utilising two scheduled INSET days on Monday and Tuesday this week. The school is led by Executive Headteacher Aron Bradley, and School Lead Nicola Clark.
Ysgol Cambrian has now opened to pupils and staff today, Wednesday, November 4, which marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Additional Learning Needs (ALN) education in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
The first-class, modern building has 23 classrooms plus supporting spaces, including a hydrotherapy pool and wellbeing centre. Find out more details on our website. The project has included an upgrade to a small 4G sports pitch on the adjacent sports ground site, being managed by the Cambrian Village Trust. Ysgol Cambrian will be able to use the facility during the day-time.
Ysgol Cambrian will provide support to pupils with autistic spectrum disorders, severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning difficulties, social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and sensory impairments.
The investment has responded to the increasing number of ALN learners in Rhondda Cynon Taf, along with the growing complexity of pupils’ needs, and capacity pressures at the four existing ALN schools. It has been delivered via Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.
Councillor Sharon Rees, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Young People, said: “Today we’re celebrating the first chapter of Ysgol Cambrian, a fantastic new Additional Learning Needs school opening on a first-class new site in Clydach Vale. The school is equipped with modern facilities that are designed to meet a wide-range of pupil needs, and features a hydrotherapy pool, trampoline room, and well-being centre – along with a number of outdoor play areas and a rooftop balcony learning area.
“Investment in facilities for Additional Learning Needs is a continued priority for the Council, responding to a growth in learner numbers across our four existing ALN schools, with pupils’ needs also becoming more complex. Our investment does not stop here as Buarth y Capel in Ynysybwl, the ALN satellite site for Ysgol Ty Coch, will receive a multi-million pound new teaching block – which has received planning permission. These projects follow a recent £1.5 million extension at Maesgwyn Special School in Cwmdare, and a new Early Years ALN setting which has been opened in Tonyrefail.
“I recently visited the Ysgol Cambrian site to see the new building in its final phase of construction, and it really is an impressive facility. The new learning environments are modern, light, bright and stimulating – something that we can all be proud of, which will serve our young people for generations to come. I can’t wait to visit the school soon to see how everyone has settled in.
“I’d like to thank everyone who helped make Ysgol Cambrian possible – from our Council officers who have followed this project through from start to finish, to our project contractor for delivering these amazing facilities, and the staff, pupils and their families for their invaluable support along the way. I wish everyone associated with the school the very best for their grand opening!”
Find out more about the Council’s major investment in schools across Rhondda Cynon Taf through our #TransformingRCT webpages.
Posted on 04/11/2026