Plans for special school in Cardiff given green light, alongside a new name

Plans have been approved by Cardiff Council's Planning Committee for the development of a special school in the city, as well as a decision to change its name.

The Court School, currently located on Station Road in Llanishen, will be renamed to 'Ysgol Cynefin', translated to 'Habitat School', and will now be relocated and rebuilt across two sites - in Fairwater and Llanrumney.

Ysgol Cynefin was chosen by the school and key stakeholders in order to show how connecting people to their surroundings can shape a sense of identity and wellbeing.

Once the development is complete, the new school will grow from 42 spaces to 72, with 36 pupils on each site from the 2025/26 academic year.

One site is to be located south of Fairwater Primary School, on Wellwright Road, with the other being south of Pen-Y-Bryn Primary School, on Dunster Road in Llanrumney - utilising land at the current St Mellons C.I.W which has made the decision to move elsewhere.

Both will include a wide range of facilities for students and staff alike to enjoy, such as multi-use games areas, soft play areas, sports pitches and horticultural areas, delivered by the Cardiff Council and Welsh Governments Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.

The development, which is expected to begin in Autumn this year, will include:

• Construction of two new single storey buildings at each of the Fairwater and Llanrumney sites.
• Creation of new outdoor amenity areas, multi-use games areas, play-spaces and sports provision.
• Landscaping, car parking, drainage and associated works.
• Demolition of the existing buildings associated with St Mellons Church in Wales Primary School (Llanrumney).

Mr Jamyn Beesley, Headteacher of The Court School, said:

"We are absolutely delighted that plans have been approved for new build accommodation for Ysgol Cynefin. The pupils with whom we have the pleasure of working with, deserve innovative and purpose-built accommodation to maximise their potential."

The current Court School site on Station Road, Llanishen - Credit: Google

Councillor Sarah Merry, Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, said:

"Planning approval and the news of the name change marks an exciting new chapter for this school. By relocating and rebuilding Ysgol Cynefin over two sites, improvements can be made to the standard of facilities whilst providing more places for children in need of specialist provision."

Merry also explained:

"The new school name fits with the vision and ethos of the school, as they seek to support pupils who face challenges in terms of emotional health and wellbeing.

"Cardiff is currently embarking on our most radical transformation of additional learning needs provision seen in recent years. The new Ysgol Cynefin is part of the significant plans already well underway, to address the shortfall in places required across the city."

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