Proposals to alleviate capacity pressures on special schools agreed
There is an undeniable and widely acknowledged need for increased capacity in schools that cater to children with Additional Learning Needs (ALN). No one disputes the importance of expanding these specialized institutions to meet the growing demand. However, the issue lies in the Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council’s approach to such expansions. While the council recognizes the need for more space, they appear to overlook critical logistical factors that are fundamental to the successful operation of ALN schools.
A major oversight in their planning is the failure to account for the necessary increase in staffing and transportation services that naturally accompany the growth of these schools. ALN schools inherently require more staff due to the specialized care and attention students need. Yet, when these schools are expanded, the council does not seem to factor in the additional staff members in terms of essential resources like parking.
Currently, staff are left without designated parking spaces, forcing many to use residential streets. This has resulted in approximately 40 staff vehicles occupying spaces that should be available to local residents. Such congestion is not only inconvenient for the community but also highlights a lack of foresight and planning by the council.
Furthermore, students with additional learning needs often require specialized transportation to and from school. The council has failed to adequately plan for this essential service as well. Along with the 40 staff cars, there are typically around 15 or more buses dedicated to transporting students, as well as parents arriving to pick up their children, and a few taxis providing additional transport. The cumulative effect of this inadequate planning results in significant traffic congestion and frustration for both the school and the surrounding community.
In summary, while the expansion of ALN schools is necessary, it must be approached holistically. The council needs to recognize that these schools demand more staff and transport services, and they must provide the infrastructure—such as parking and traffic management solutions—to support this growth. Without such measures, the well-intentioned efforts to expand capacity are undermined by poor logistical planning.
Proposals to alleviate capacity pressures on special schools agreed
RCT Council Cabinet has approved two options to create more places at local special schools, in response to growing demand and current capacity pressures. This will result in an Early Years satellite base being established in Tonyrefail, and an investment of up to £5m in an existing specialist provision in Ynysybwl.
At the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, September 19, Members considered separate reports for these respective options. They were proposed to help alleviate current capacity pressures associated with meeting the needs of learners with ALN in Rhondda Cynon Taf, and the need to increase capacity to enable the Council to meet its statutory responsibilities for ALN learners.
Previous reports to Cabinet have demonstrated the capacity pressures facing local special schools, due to growing learner numbers and the needs of young people becoming more complex. Options to expand our special schools (Park Lane, Maesgwyn, Ysgol Hen Felin and Ysgol Ty Coch) have been explored, while a brand new special school will be created in Clydach Vale during 2026. Plus, four new Learning Support Classes are being established in the 2024/25 academic year – which brings the total number in the County Borough to 48.
However, the number of pupils across our special schools has risen from 539 in 2017 to 746 in 2024 – an increase of 38.4% – and numbers are expected to further increase in the years ahead. While 175 places will be created by the new school in 2026, a report to Cabinet on Thursday noted that more interim measures are needed to alleviate capacity pressures in the intervening period.
Providing a reliable prediction about how many special school places are likely to be needed in the short term is challenging. However, trends from the past five years suggest a significant shortfall is very likely. Latest data shows another increase of 18 learners across our special schools for September 2024.
Proposals to create additional ALN capacity now agreed
The first agreed-upon proposal is to create a satellite base to address capacity pressures at Ysgol Hen Felin and Ysgol Ty Coch. It will open at the vacant former Tonyrefail Community Centre building, offering Early Years provision for up to 30 pre-nursery and nursery places. The new base will come under the leadership and governance of Ysgol Hen Felin, and can be established quickly.
Minor adaptions will be needed to ensure the building is suitable for the age of the learners – such as adjustments to toilets and hygiene rooms – while some internal and external works will ensure the building is fit for purpose. These adaptions will be funded via Welsh Government’s ALN Capital Maintenance Grant. Transport to and from the satellite base will be provided to learners under the Council’s Home to School Transport policy.
The second proposal that Cabinet has now agreed is to create additional accommodation at Buarth y Capel, a satellite site of Ysgol Ty Coch located in Ynysybwl. It is attended by ALN learners aged 14-19 who require a highly-specialist and bespoke provision. Extra capacity was created there in recent years via temporary classrooms – and the school building will now be permanently extended.
The project will deliver new classrooms, modify existing buildings and improve external areas – delivering 21st Century facilities. This will provide up to 20 extra places, dependent upon learners’ needs and their required equipment. Some pupils from Ysgol Ty Coch will then be able to attend the site, freeing up extra capacity. The scheme is likely to receive funding support from Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, with the project expected to represent an overall investment of up to £5m.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said: “Officers have reported to Cabinet on several occasions about the capacity pressures that are being faced across our special schools, due to increased learner numbers and the more complex needs of children and young people. In response, a new special school will be invested in – creating a first-class learning environment in the Rhondda Fawr that meets all needs and creates significant additional ALN capacity.
“However, Thursday’s report noted that capacity pressures and demand are continuing to grow year-on-year, which is problematic in the short term – between now and when the new school is delivered in 2026. Doing nothing is not an option, as we have a responsibility to secure appropriate specialist placements for ALN pupils – while it’s also important that we ensure pupils are allocated places in the special schools nearest to their home, and that out-of-county and independent placements are minimised on budgetary grounds.
“The proposals that have been agreed by Cabinet will go some way to alleviating the current pressures. These include utilising the vacant Tonyrefail Community Centre building as a satellite base, having a benefit to both Ysgol Hen Felin and Ysgol Ty Coch – while also investing up to £5m in expanding and improving the existing facilities at Buarth y Capel, again, to free up some capacity at Ysgol Ty Coch. I’m pleased that both of these proposals received Member support, and can now be progressed towards their delivery.”
