Cefn Onn Primary School will close says WAG

The Welsh Assembly has formally agreed to Cardiff Council's plans to close Cefn Onn Primary School and extend the age range at Llysfaen and Thornhill Primary Schools from 4-11 to 3-11.

Earlier this year the final decision was passed to the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills following objections received by the Council to the publication of a statutory notice detailing the proposed changes.

This followed a full public consultation on the plans. The changes will now be implemented on a phased basis: Cefn Onn Primary School will close on August 31, 2012. From September 2010 Cefn Onn Primary School will not admit any pupils to the Reception age group. These pupils will be offered a place at either Coed Glas, Llysfaen, Thornhill or Llanishen Fach primary schools.

The Cefn Onn catchment will be re-allocated among the catchment areas of Coed Glas, Llysfaen, Thornhilll and Llanishen Fach primary schools, with effect from September 2010.

Cardiff Council is committed to making sure the high standards of education at Cefn Onn continue. Officers will work closely with parents of children already attending the school, who may wish to transfer their children elsewhere before the 2012 closure date.

At this point, any pupils who would have continued their attendance at Cefn Onn will be offered places in neighbouring schools to complete their primary education.

The Cefn Onn nursery unit will continue to admit pupils while the school is open and will close in August 2012.

In order to accommodate the additional pupils and provide improved facilities for all pupils a significant investment will take place at Coed Glas, Thornhill and Llysfaen primary schools. As a result the number of children able to be admitted to Thornhill and Llysfaen Primary Schools at reception age will be increased to 60 from September 2010. In addition both schools will provide 48 part-time nursery places.

Following the closure of Cefn Onn investment will also take place in Ysgol Y Wern, involving the removal of demountable buildings and improvements to the permanent buildings remaining on the site, currently shared between the two schools.

Places for any children who attend or would have attended the Hearing Impaired Unit at Cefn Onn Primary School will be made available at the Hearing Impaired Unit at Coed Glas Primary School.

Executive Member for Schools and Lifelong Learning, Councillor Freda Salway, said: "I am confident the Assembly's decision to agree our proposal will improve primary school education throughout this area of Cardiff. One of the main aims of our schools reorganisation policy is to help primary school children participate effectively in the Foundation Phase, achieve high standards at Key Stage 2 and transfer seamlessly to secondary education.

"We must make the best use of resources by creating secure, viable primary schools in every area of the city, while matching the number of places in these schools to the number of local children. The changes we will now take forward at Cefn Onn and its neighbouring schools reflect these aims.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all staff at Cefn Onn for the hard work they have contributed to the school. This decision is obviously significant but staff efforts remain invaluable and I am confident the best levels of provision will continue up until the date of closure."