“Tight timeline” to complete primary school move due to building deterioration

Proposals to relocate a Canton primary school are one step closer to reality after Cardiff Council’s cabinet approved the plans in a meeting last week. 

Lansdowne primary school, on Norfolk Road, could move to the former Fitzalan high school site this October after its grade II listed buildings were described as “at the end of life”.

The school had to close four times in the 2023/24 academic year due to “urgent” issues such as roof and ceiling leaks, water damage to electrics, unsafe windows, failing stonework, drainage problems, and rainwater damage.

The relocation plans will now be presented to the full council for their consideration and possible final approval. 

During the cabinet meeting on January 23, Cardiff's deputy leader and cabinet member for education, Cllr Sarah Merry confirmed that Lansdowne primary school was currently “safe” and the site was “monitored daily” but that the health and safety risks could not be “fully mitigated” without “significant investment”.

She added that the repairs and work needed would be “disruptive” and make it “impossible” to keep students on site.

Labour Cllr Merry confirmed that the move is scheduled to take place during October half term and that “there is no other suitable vacant site in the local area”.

If approved, the move would see some of Fitzalan High School’s existing buildings repurposed along with the use of new, demountable - or portable - accommodation.

Cllr Merry added that these proposals would prevent “future and planned closures”, avoid splitting the school across different sites and provide “best value for money”. 

Cllr Merry, who represents Cathays ward, said: “We want staff at the school to be able to focus on the learning and wellbeing of the pupils without the distraction of the condition of the building.”

She added that the plans will help “give the school stability”.

October half term move - “a tight timeline”

During the cabinet meeting, Conservative Cllr John Lancaster, who represents Lisvane and Thornhill, asked for a “workable timescale”.

He said: “I think it’s urgent that you give parents and teachers and pupils of course a solid timescale.”

In response, Cllr Sarah Merry, confirmed that the plans were to complete the move during the Octoer half term.

She continued: “It is a tight timeline and obviously with any works like that there is always scope for a little slippage.

“The aim is to complete it so that the actual transfer can happen over the half term period which of course minimises disruption for the school.”

Cllr Merry added that the “ideal” situation would have been to complete the move during the summer holidays but that it was not feasible. 

New portable buildings of an “exceptionally high standard”

Cllr Rodney Berman asked if much needed to be done to “adapt” and “configure” the buildings at the former Fitzalan high school and asked for assurances that the move could be done in “an appropriate timescale”.

The Liberal Democrat councillor, who represents Penylan, asked: “To what extent has that been worked out that the current users can be suitably re-accommodated to make sure that we have sufficient accommodation for both the current users and Lansdowne primary when they move in?”

Cllr Merry said she could provide “general assurances” that the move could be done and referring to the portable buildings said: “From the schools I visit, where there are demountable buildings, they are of a an exceptionally high standard.”

Cllr Lancaster also asked about the refurbishment of the current Lansdowne building and said: “Can you confirm that any refurbishment would be respectful of that and be done in conjunction with the relevant bodies?”

In response, Cllr Merry said: “We take great pride in any of our listed buildings and any work we do on those listed buildings would have to get the approval of Cadw.”

A meeting for parents to discuss the proposals will be scheduled after the cabinet meeting.