16/11/23

Today, Fitzalan High School has been officially opened by Wales's First Minister Mark Drakeford, The Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas and Cardiff's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry.

The school staff, pupils and governors welcomed guests to the school including local politicians and representatives from Kier who played a key part in the school's construction.

The new £64m school was joint funded by Cardiff Council and Welsh Government, through the city's Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.

The three-storey high school accommodates 1850 pupils and includes a community swimming pool and provision of four Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAs). There are two 3G pitches available for rugby, football and hockey and the site also accommodates hard and soft play areas as well as a staff and visitor car park.

Construction first began in March 2021 and has closely involved ambassadors from the school who have regularly visited the site throughout its development, contributing their thoughts on the build and reporting progress back to other students. 

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "Fitzalan High School has built a reputation for nurturing high-achieving students, so it's fantastic the new school is now complete. It has been designed to be environmentally-friendly, with facilities for the whole community and will provide an excellent environment for young people and staff for generations to come.

"I'm really pleased the Welsh Government has been able to support the new school and I wish all the pupils, staff and families at Fitzalan High School every success for the future."

Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas said: "The brand-new home for Fitzalan High School is the latest excellent example of the innovative, modern and state-of-the-art schools that have been delivered by Cardiff Council and Welsh Government and is the first school to be completed as part of the Band B programme, a rolling programme which will represent an investment of almost £300m.

"The impressive £64m school will provide outstanding facilities, not only for present and future pupils but also for local people to enjoy, further reinforcing our commitment to invest in education, where schools are at the heart of the communities they serve.

"Every child has the right to a good education in an efficient learning environment and as we continue to improve and expand the city's schools, our aim is to ensure that learners have access to provision where they can thrive and realise their potential to benefit positive and successful futures."

Cardiff Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry said: "Marking the official opening of the new school is a significant milestone for pupils and staff at Fitzalan, as well as a transformation for the local community through new opportunities available at the school.

"I have enjoyed closely following the progress of the development despite the challenges caused by the pandemic, from initial design to seeing first-hand, the impressive new building that welcomed pupils at the beginning of term. 

"Representing a significant boost for the local area, the new school is an example of an urban and modern school building which will provide current and future generations with excellent facilities, opportunities and quality learning environments for years to come. A school to be proud of, I have no doubt the future of Fitzalan High School will continue to go from strength to strength."

Chair of Governors Debbie Morgan said: "All of the staff and pupils are really excited to be finally in our new environment. There is no limit to what we can achieve in our new school and we look forward to every new opportunity that the building will offer."

Jason Taylor, regional director at Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: "We are proud to have delivered these new, state-of-the-art facilities at Fitzalan High School, which will benefit secondary school pupils in Cardiff for generations to come.

"It will also benefit the local community in Leckwith, who will be able to access new amenities, including the 25m, four-lane swimming pool installed on site.

"We hope the pupils enjoy their new school as much as we enjoyed delivering it."