Work starts on new school located at Cardiff’s Plasdŵr development

A ceremonial ground-breaking event has taken place to celebrate the construction of a new primary school to be located at Cardiff’s Plasdŵr development.

Ysgol Gynradd Groeswen Primary School is the chosen name for thenew £9million primary schoolwhich is being builton land South of Llantrisant Road.  It is the second primary school to be provided as part of Cardiff’s Local Development Plan (LDP) andwill serve areas of north-west Cardiff, spanning parts of Creigiau, St Fagans, Radyr, Morganstown and Fairwater.

The ground was cutby Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas, Cardiff Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry, Headteacher DesignateRichard Carbis and Temporary Chair of Governors for the school, Daniel Tiplady

They were joined by representatives from Andrew Scott Ltd, Redrow and local ward members.

Delivered by Andrew Scott Ltd on behalf of Plasdŵr’s lead developer, Redrow,Ysgol Gynradd Groes-wen Primary Schoolwill feature contemporary architecture and a range of amenities accessible to the public, providing opportunities to bring new residents and families together.

When completed, the two form of entry school will offer 420 places in total and is the first of its kind in Cardiff to provide a dual language education stream. This means that one-form of entry will offer Welsh-medium education and one-form of entry will offer English and Welsh dual-language education. In addition, there will be 96 part-time nursery provision and the school is looking to work in partnership to deliver wraparound childcare options to support families.

Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said: “I am delighted that constructionof the new school is well underway, which when finished will provide a modern,well-equipped and efficient learning environment for pupils and staff.

“Plasdŵr is already very popular, generating a significant increase in the demand for school places in the area. The new school will have a community focus providing opportunities for local people to access facilities as well ensuring availability of school places.”

Cllr Merry added; “An innovative variation on the traditional primary school,Ysgol Gynradd Groes-wen Primary Schoolwilldelivernew and exciting opportunities through the introduction of the dual language model which looks to increaseWelsh-medium education in a strategic way, supportingCardiff’s aspirations to grow the Welsh language set out in our bilingual strategy. Behind the scenes, the new school’s Temporary Governing body and the recently appointed headteacher, Richard Carbis, are working closely to establish an exciting vision for the future of the school, ensuring that children and young people receive the best possible education.”

Richard Carbis, HeadteacherDesignate said: “It is wonderful to begin the journey of Ysgol Groes-wen at the heart of a community that will grow together as we develop bilingualism at the centre of a new district in Cardiff.”

Applications for school admissions to Cardiff primary schools includingYsgol Gynradd Groes-wen Primary Schoolwill open in November 2022 for entry into Reception and January 2023 for Nursery. The school will admit its first pupils in September 2023. Pupils in school Years 1 and 2 will also have the opportunity to apply to the school from April 2023 ready to start from September 2023.

Plasdŵr, a development in the North West of the city, is being built as part of Cardiff’s Local Development Plan (LDP), which sets out the infrastructure required to facilitate and sustain the city’s growth up to 2026. The masterplan for Plasdŵr includes a further three new primary schools and one secondary school, to be delivered as the development takes shape over the coming years.

In total, up to 7,000 homes will be built at the site bordering Radyr, Fairwater, Pentrebane and St Fagans along with shops, cafes, restaurants . Around 40% of Plasdŵr will be green space, including managed heritage woodland, parks and play areas.

Wayne Rees, Project Director of Plasdŵr, said:”This ceremony marks months of hard work and planning to break ground on the first primary school at Plasdŵr. This is a significant milestone for Plasdŵr, and one we’ve been looking forward to delivering.Ysgol Gynradd Groes-wen Primary Schoolwill offer children living here at Plasdŵr, as well as in its neighbouring communities access to a high-quality education a short walk or cycle from their home. We’re looking forward to seeing it complete and welcoming the first pupils through its doors.”

The school is beingdelivered byPlasdŵr’s leaddeveloper Redrow, under a Section 106 agreement, and is in addition to the new and expanded schools being delivered by Cardiff Council and Welsh Government under its £284m Band B Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.