Future plans for special schools in Swansea - Notice

Notice is given in accordance with section 44 of the School Standards and Organisation Act 2013 and the School Organisation Code that the local authority of the City and County of Swansea, having consulted such persons as required, proposes to:

1)  Discontinue Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn (Glasbury Road, Morriston, Swansea SA6 7PA) and Ysgol Crug Glas (Croft Street, Swansea SA1 1QA) on 31 August 2025. Both schools are English Medium, mixed sex Community Special Schools and are maintained by the City and County of Swansea. Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn has 195 places for pupils with moderate to sever learning difficulties (M/SLD) and severe Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Ysgol Crug Glas has 55 places for pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD).

2)  Establish a new (amalgamated) English Medium, mixed sex, Community Special School from 1 September 2025 on the above schools existing sites for pupils aged 3-19 with Statements of Special Educational Need. The proposed number of planned places once this element of the proposal is implemented will be 250. The newly amalgamated school will continue to provide education for pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), moderate to severe learning difficulties (M/SLD) and severe Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The City and County of Swansea will be the admissions authority for the school, and admission arrangements will be made via the local authority Additional Learning Needs Panel. Pupils on roll from Reception to Year 14 in Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn and Ysgol Crug Glas on 31 August 2025 will automatically transfer to the new special school on 1 September 2025. Transport arrangements will continue in their current format.

3)  Make a Regulated Alteration to relocate the above amalgamated school to a new building at a site on Mynydd Garnllwyd Road on land close to the existing Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn site which will be ready for occupation in April 2028. Transport arrangements will be reviewed considering the change in location but will remain in accordance with Swansea Council's home to school transport policy.

4)  Make a Regulated Alteration to increase the number of planned places by 100 at the time of relocation to the new site at Mynydd Garnllwyd Road. This will increase the total number of planned places to 350 from April 2028.

The City and County of Swansea undertook a period of consultation before deciding to publish this proposal. A consultation report containing a summary of the issues raised by consultees, the proposer's responses and the views of Estyn is available at Future plans for Special Schools in Swansea.

Within a period of 28 days after the date of publication of these proposals, that is to say by 5 March 2024, any person may object to the proposals. Objections should be sent to the Director of Education, City and County of Swansea, Civic Centre, Swansea SA1 3SN or emailed to schoolorganisation@swansea.gov.uk.

The City and County of Swansea will publish a summary of any such objections made (and not withdrawn in writing) within the objection period, together with their observations thereon, within the period of 28 days after the objection period.

Helen Morgan-Rees
Director of Education

Explanatory note

(This is not part of the formal notice. It is intended to provide further information and background to the proposals.)

1. This proposal is initially to amalgamate the two Special Schools (Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn and Ysgol Crug Glas) into one special school incorporating existing buildings on the existing sites, and then to move the school to a new building on 1 April 2028.
2. Pupils occupying these places may be drawn from across the City and County of Swansea and beyond. Transport would be provided as per the council's transportation policy.
3. Delegated funding for the new school will be in accordance with the City and County of Swansea's local funding formula for schools.
4. Hard copies or alternative versions of all documentation may be obtained upon request from the School Organisation Team:
   Email: schoolorganisation@swansea.gov.uk
   Telephone: 01792 636509
   Postal address: Helen Morgan-Rees, Director of Education, Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road, SA1 3SN.