Parents in south Cardiff are calling on the council to address the need for a new Welsh medium secondary school in the area. Currently, parents who manage to secure a place at Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf, one of the most oversubscribed schools in Cardiff, have to travel halfway across the city for their children to attend. These concerned parents took their demands to the city council’s main offices at County Hall on Thursday, November 21, to protest and raise awareness of the issue.
Campaigners advocating for a new Welsh medium secondary school in Cardiff have been vocal in their calls for action from the council. They have been highlighting the challenges faced by families in Butetown, Grangetown, Riverside, and surrounding areas in accessing Welsh medium education. Carl Morris, speaking on behalf of the campaign group, expressed disappointment in the council’s response to their concerns, particularly citing delays and what he perceived as weak excuses for inaction.
The group is emphasising the importance of providing easy access to Welsh medium education for all families in Cardiff, irrespective of their background or income levels. They argue that establishing a Welsh-medium secondary school in the south of the city is a crucial step towards addressing structural inequalities and ensuring fairness in the education system. The campaigners are urging the council to take concrete actions to increase the percentage of children in dedicated Welsh-medium education in Cardiff.
After previous protests and advocacy efforts, Cardiff Council acknowledged the projected decrease in intakes to Welsh medium secondary schools in the coming years. However, they indicated a commitment to promoting bilingual education and prioritising the establishment of a fourth Welsh medium secondary school in the future. Despite this statement, campaigners are pressing for more proactive measures from the council to address the current gaps in Welsh medium education provision in the city.
Following the recent protest, the council reiterated its dedication to supporting Welsh language education and outlined plans to make a fourth Welsh medium secondary school a reality in the future. While the council cited a decline in birth rates as a factor affecting intakes, parents and campaigners are holding the council accountable for what they perceive as neglectful attitudes towards Welsh-medium education growth in Cardiff. They are urging the council to take meaningful steps to expand Welsh medium education options in the city.
Parents and children have been actively advocating for better Welsh medium education opportunities in Cardiff, underscoring the need for improved access and inclusivity in the education system. The campaign group is urging city leaders, including Huw Thomas, Leader of the Council, to prioritise Welsh-medium education and take decisive action to address the current challenges faced by families seeking Welsh medium education in the south of Cardiff. The parents are determined to continue their efforts until concrete steps are taken to establish a new Welsh medium secondary school in the area.
In response to the calls for a new Welsh medium secondary school, Cardiff Council highlighted the growth in Welsh medium education in recent years and reiterated its commitment to promoting bilingual education. The council acknowledged the demand for increased Welsh medium education options and outlined plans to make a fourth Welsh medium secondary school feasible for the future. Cardiff Council is working towards ensuring that there are sufficient places available to support Welsh medium education until at least the 2031/32 intake year, with flexibility to expand capacity if needed.
The ongoing advocacy efforts by parents and campaigners in south Cardiff underscore the importance of addressing the need for a new Welsh medium secondary school in the area. As the city council and community members engage in discussions regarding Welsh medium education provision, the focus remains on fostering inclusivity, accessibility, and equity in the education system. The voices of parents and children advocating for improved Welsh medium education opportunities in Cardiff continue to drive the conversation towards meaningful change and increased support for bilingual education in the city.