Blaenau Gwent Council Executive Committee has agreed to move to the next stage in a proposal to increase capacity at Pen-y-Cwm Special School in Ebbw Vale – by publishing a Statutory Notice.
During this period – which runs until Friday, 23rd July 2021 – any formal objections to the proposal can be made. Any objections will be considered by councillors when they meet to make a final decision on the plans.
The plans would increase pupil places at the school from 120 to 175. This would be achieved by carrying out internal remodelling work to increase teaching and well-being space.
A consultation with the public; staff; families; governors and other key stakeholders showed overall strong support for the plans, with over 90% of respondents fully (82%) or partially supporting the proposal.
Whilst the re-modelling works is a short term solution to a growing demand for this type of pupil placement, the Council will also be working with partners to consider a longer term plan.
The plans will not only create additional space but provide more ‘specialist’ areas for teaching. It is anticipated that both standards and provision will be improved, whilst realising maximum benefits for learners.
Pen-y-Cwm is an all through Special School for 3 to 19 year-olds with a broad spectrum of complex needs.
Find out more about the Statutory Notice here.
The school has seen an increase in the need for places over the past few years. If the proposal is approved, it would also mean that some local pupils who are currently attending school outside of Blaenau Gwent due to their needs could be accommodated Pen-y-Cwm.
Blaenau Gwent Council’s Executive Member for Education, Councillor Joanne Collins says:
“We remain fully committed to supporting our pupils with significant educational needs and their families. We have seen an increase in the number of pupils requiring this specialist placement over the past few years, and so I am pleased that the Executive Committee agreed to proceed to the next stage of publishing a Statutory Notice.”
Headteacher at Pen-y-Cwm School, Darya Brill-Williams says:
“Pen-y-Cwm is a happy and highly successful school which seeks to live up to its motto ‘Gwnawn ein gorau’, and be outstanding in all its activity. Our learners and their families deserve the best and we seek to offer nothing less.
“We are excited and keen to work with the Council to achieve the additional capacity that is needed in order to accommodate the growing number of learners requiring specialist educational provision, and so I’m pleased that we have moved to the next step.”
If the proposal goes ahead the work would hopefully be completed by the start of term this September.