03/28/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

LLANELLI’S special needs school Ysgol Heol Goffa is set to be relocated and expanded to meet increased demand.

The school’s capacity is 75 but 95 pupils are currently taught there.

Carmarthenshire Council education chiefs want to build a new school next to Ysgol Pen Rhos, on Copperworks Road, just under four miles away.

The proposals were discussed by the authority’s education and children scrutiny committee, which recommended that the executive board launches a consultation.

The new-build school would open in 2022 and cater for 120 pupils aged three to 19 who have severe learning difficulties or profound and multiple learning difficulties.

Councillor Shahana Najmi said: “I really welcome that we’re going to have an increase in the number of pupils at this school.”

Director of education Gareth Morgans said the new school would have a hydropool, soft play areas and zones for older and younger children.
Sensory and therapy rooms would also be provided.

“They [pupils] will have the latest facilities,” said Mr Morgans.

Ysgol Heol Goffa is supported by physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy services.

Educational psychologist and behaviour teams also work with the school.

The report before the committee said the site and layout at Ysgol Heol Goffa was poor, highlighted by overcrowded minibus collections and drop-offs and a lack of sufficient car parking at the front of the school.

An Estyn inspection in March 2017 said the school’s learning environment was “adequate”, with significant limits in the range of learning opportunities for post-16s.

The cost of the proposed development will be split 75-25 between the Welsh Government and the council, subject to business case approval.

If agreed by the executive board, the consultation will run from January 13 to February 23 next year.

Special needs provision is also provided in the county at Myrddin Special and Autistic Unit and Queen Elizabeth High School, Carmarthen.

The catchment area for Ysgol Heol Goffa is the whole of Carmarthenshire.

Mr Morgans added: “There has been an increase in the number of children with severe behavioural issues and autism.”

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