Cardiff’s Lansdowne Primary School, housed in a Victorian building deemed to be in an ‘end of life’ stage, is facing significant challenges as a result, as revealed by a city council official. With the Grade II listed buildings on Norfolk Street reaching the end of their usable life, Cardiff Council is proposing to relocate the school to the former site of Fitzalan High School situated to the north. The issues at the current school site have placed immense pressure on the school staff, according to statements made during a meeting of Cardiff Council’s children and young people scrutiny committee on January 13. The plan to move the school is deemed necessary to alleviate the strain caused by the deteriorating building conditions.
According to Richard Portas, the council’s programme director for school organisation, the current buildings have demanded a significant amount of attention from the school leadership team, diverting their focus from daily teaching and learning activities. The constant need to address building-related issues has taken a toll on both the leadership team and the staff. To address the urgent situation, the council is seeking to secure a temporary location for Lansdowne Primary School as quickly as possible. The director of education and lifelong learning, Melanie Godfrey, has described the situation as an “emergency.”
During a meeting scheduled for January 23, Cardiff Council’s cabinet members will be asked to approve funding for portable units that will serve as temporary classrooms for the school on its new site. The aim is to move both staff and pupils to the new location during the October 2025 half term. Despite the short-term measures being put in place, there is currently no medium to long-term solution outlined for the school. However, discussions on a more permanent resolution are expected to be brought forward within the next six months to a year.
Councillor Sarah Merry, cabinet member for education at Cardiff Council, highlighted the challenges that Lansdowne Primary School has faced over the past year, including four closures to conduct necessary works. Issues with the building range from roof and ceiling leaks to unsafe windows, water damage to electrics, failing stonework, and drainage problems. These issues have necessitated urgent attention and have disrupted the school’s regular operations. Once the relocation is complete, the vacated premises will be secured and maintained, with plans to offer improved facilities for students and staff.
In light of the building’s condition and the impact it has had on the school community, Cardiff Council is prioritising the welfare and educational environment for children at Lansdowne Primary School. The proposal to move the school to a new location aims to provide a safer and more conducive learning environment for students, free from the constraints imposed by the aging Victorian building. By addressing the immediate challenges and planning for a sustainable future, the council is taking proactive steps to ensure the well-being and educational quality for all students at Lansdowne Primary School.