Consultation to increase Pen-y-Cwm Special School pupil places

BLAENAU Gwent Council is to consult over a proposal to increase capacity at Pen-y-Cwm Special School in Ebbw Vale. If the proposal goes ahead the work would hopefully be completed by the start of term in September 2021.

The Executive Committee has approved plans for a public consultation into a proposal to 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.

An online consultation will take place between Monday, 26th April and Sunday, 6th June 2021. You will be able to find out more about the consultation and give your views on the website soon

The Council’s Education Transformation team will also carry out targeted consultation with key stakeholders including parents; governors; trade unions; scrutiny committee and other statutory stakeholders.

Pen-y-Cwm is an all-through Special School for 3 to 19 year-olds with a broad spectrum of complex needs.

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 Corporate Director of Education, Lynn Phillips says:

“The Council is fully committed to supporting our pupils with significant educational needs and their families and we want to continue to make sure these pupils have the best opportunities we can offer within our county borough. Our Inclusion team works closely with families and we have seen an increase in the number of pupils requiring this specialist placement over the past few years, so I am pleased that the Executive Committee has today endorsed going out to public consultation on this important proposal.

“As always, we would encourage as many people as possible with an interest in the proposal to take part in the consultation which will be easily available on our website.”

Headteacher at Pen-y-Cwm School, Darya Brill-Williams said:

“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 keen to work with the Council to achieve the additional capacity that is desperately needed. Our Governors; leadership group; staff and wider specialist team of health and social workers all join me in being excited at the prospect of the development of the existing facility to accommodate the growing number of learners requiring specialist educational provision.”

If the proposal goes ahead the work would hopefully be completed by the start of term in September 2021.