12/10/2021

A public consultation which invites members of the public to have their say on proposals to increase provision in Cardiff, for children and young people with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) is now open.

Views can be submitted on two plans to address the increase in demand for ALN provision at primary age and the expansion of support forlearners with emotional health & wellbeing needs and Complex Learning Needs (CLN).

They include:

• Increasing capacity at The Court Special School from 42 to 72 places and transferring the school to new build accommodation across two siteswith 36 pupils on each site from September 2025. The sites would be located onland at Fairwater Primary School and utilising the current St Mellons Church in Wales Primary School site in Llanrumney, following the transfer of the school to new build accommodation on the St Edeyrns development.
• Establishing a Specialist Resource Base (SRB) for up to 20 primary aged children with Complex Learning Needs (CLN) at Moorland Primary School.

Following the public consultation, if progressed the proposals could also see the replacement and expansion of The Court School, which has been identified as poor or unsuitable condition, with new build accommodation underBand B of Cardiff's 21st Century Schools Programme. Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said; "In Cardiff, the level of support, skills and facilities available in schools has increased in recent years, meaning they have become more inclusive and can effectively meet the needs of those pupils with additional learning needs. 17Specialist Resource Bases have been established and plans are underway to expand and develop Riverbank and Woodlands Schools.

"However, pupil population growth and the increased complexity of needs of some learners, has meant that the requirement for specialist provision is greater. Improved survival rates for children born with significant disabilities resulting in severe and complex disabilities has also increased, meaning that the number of pupils requiring a place in a special school or Specialist Resource Base has continued to grow.

"Proposals for The Court School and Moorland Primary will allow Cardiff toexpand the choice of provision available, whilsthelping to ensure that our most vulnerable learners can access specialist environments and expertise, so that they can thrive in Cardiff and fulfil their potential for the future."

"The views of residents, pupils, schools and their communities will all play a big part in how the plans are progressed and I would encouraged people to have their say to help shape these essential and exciting schemes."

Currently Cardiff has seven Special Schools, five primary wellbeing classes, a specialist Pupil Referral Unit and a primary speech and language class. 17 Specialist Resources Bases (SRB) are hosted at primary and secondary schools across the city which enable pupils with Complex Learning Needs (CLN) to succeed in a mainstream school environment.

To have your say on the plans please visit:www.cardiff.gov.uk/ALNschoolproposals

The consultation runs from Monday 11, October to Monday 22, November.

This document can be made available in Braille and information can also be made available in other community language, please contact C2C on 029 2087 2720 to arrange this.

An online public meeting via Microsoft Teams will take place on Tuesday, 2 November 2021 at 5:30pm - 7pm

If you would like to attend an online meeting please e-mailwww.schoolresponses@cardiff.gov.ukconfirming which meeting you would like to attend. A link and instructions on how to access the meeting will be provided.