Weekly Round Up with Liz

27 February 2026

Hi all,

With school staff back after a well-earned half-term break, I wanted to update you on some exciting developments within the Learning and Skills Directorate.

Firstly, members of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Team joined others for a tour of the Ysgol Llyn Derw and St Richard Gwyn sites earlier today.

Work to redevelop St Richard Gwyn has started as it becomes the fourth and final secondary school in Barry to be significantly upgraded.
Back in 2020, two new school buildings were constructed at Pencoedtre High and Whitmore High, while Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg underwent a major extension.

Each school now boasts ultra-modern classrooms, cutting-edge facilities and top- class equipment.

St Richard Gwyn is set to follow suit as old buildings are replaced with fresh functional spaces to accommodate more than 1,100 pupils.

Combined, this work represents some of the most significant regeneration Barry has ever seen.

Work on the new school building is expected to be completed by the end of next year, with the old one completely demolished by December 2028.

External quiet spaces filled with greenery will be created as part of the project and a cycle shelter with repair station constructed to encourage active travel.

The school hall will feature a full sound system and lighting for performances, while the canteen is complimented by a snack bar offering light meals and drinks. 

The school’s design also allows for dedicated space that could be used to support expanded provision for learners with Additional Learning Needs, as well as a 3G sports pitch and Multiuse Games Area, which will be available to the school and wider community.

Sustainability is a key feature of the new buildings, which use eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems, maximising the use of solar energy to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels.

This helps to minimise environmental impact in line with the Council’s Project Zero commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030.

A green roof made of vegetation will assist with drainage management and provide other ecological benefits. 

Meanwhile, work on Ysgol Llyn Derw, a second site for Ysgol y Deri, catering for pupils with special educational needs, continues and is expected to be completed by the summer.

That will have room for 205 pupils and is located on land near Cosmeston Country Park.

It is being built over two storeys, with the surrounding landscape functioning as an extension of the school buildings, offering teaching and study spaces as well as areas for sport, play, socialising, relaxation and reflection.

The school’s design will benefit from natural light and ventilation wherever possible, green roofs to increase biodiversity and a host of other environmentally friendly features.

Bird and bat boxes have been installed along with spaces for insects to boost local wildlife, while trees and wildflowers have been planted to enhance the school’s green spaces.

Solar panels and a hybrid generator will be used to power the site, which has been built out of energy efficient materials to help make it carbon neutral.

A new Physical and Medical (PMed) base has also been opened at St Cyres School in Penarth, providing enhanced facilities to support pupils with ALNs within a mainstream education setting.

The purpose-built extension strengthens the school’s specialist provision and reflects the Council’s ongoing commitment to inclusive education.

It provides access to tailored support while remaining connected to the wider school community.

The base features accessible toilet facilities, a hygiene and physiotherapy room, a sensory, rest and recovery room, an open-plan learning space and two dedicated study rooms.

I’d like to thank all involved for their work on these and other school schemes.

They offer our pupils outstanding learning environments and the very best foundation for success.

On the subject of building firm foundations, it was fantastic to hear about the success of the Gŵyl Gymreig that took place in Cowbridge on Thursday. 

As Rob Thomas mentioned in last week’s weekly round-up, events like this play an important role in encouraging the Welsh language across the Vale, and Rob himself took the opportunity to join the festivities and celebrate our growing Welsh-language communities.

The event - which took place ahead of Dydd Gŵyl Dewi (St David's Day) on Sunday - aimed to promote Welsh-medium education and culture in the Western Vale and is closely linked to the new Ysgol Iolo Morganwg building, which marks another important step in expanding our Welsh-medium education offer across the county.

The programme for the day featured performances from local school choirs, family activities including Ti a Fi, Amser Stori, arts and crafts and more. Visitors were also able to access information on adult learning, Welsh-medium education, NHS Welsh-language career opportunities and the development of the new Ysgol Iolo Morgannwg site.

I would like to say a special thank you to Natasha Burton and Jeremy Morgan for ensuring the event was thoughtfully planned and well organised, and I was touched to hear how two learners from Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg spoke so passionately about the value they place on Welsh-medium education. Diolch o galon i chi gyd!

Events such as the Gŵyl Gymreig offer more than just a celebration of culture - they provide a vital stepping stone towards a future filled with confident, proud Welsh speakers, nurturing a love for the language today that will strengthen and sustain our communities for generations to come.

Our Learning and Skills staff truly are leaders in their field, which is why a delegation from Kenya recently visited to see how the School Improvement Team operate.

Organised by the British Council, this formed part of a wider exploratory programme that included meetings with Welsh Government and Estyn, the school assessment service.

During their time in the Vale, delegates visited Stanwell School and Ysgol Dewi Sant before attending an information session at the Civic Offices in Barry.

Discussions focused on the role of School Improvement Officers, approaches to supporting and challenging schools, enhanced monitoring arrangements, and the Council’s partnership with the Central South Consortium, which delivers regional professional learning and improvement support.

The visit also provided an opportunity to share best practice and strengthen international links in education, reflecting the Council’s commitment to mutual learning.

I’m proud that colleagues from across the world recognise the fantastic work going on in the Vale and want to follow our example. Da iawn.
It was also thrilling to learn that Penarth Library has been shortlisted in the Library of the Year category of the British Book Awards.

Out of 42 libraries across the UK and Ireland in contention for the prize, Penarth is one of only three finalists from Wales.

This recognition highlights the positive impact the library has made in promoting reading and literacy to people of all ages alongside its role as a community hub.

Our library service will also help pilot a new regional reading strategy after Libraries and Cultural services Manager Jordan Forse was successful in securing Welsh Government funding.

Running from January to October, this will see libraries test reading initiatives, develop new partnership models across Council services and community organisations, and help support reading in a wide range of settings. 

The learning from this pilot will shape a draft Reading Strategy, toolkit and evidence base that can be replicated nationally, helping to inform future Welsh Government policy and strengthen reading provision across Wales.

Once again, it is fantastic to see our teams blazing a trail for others to follow – well done all.

Finally, thank you to staff across all departments for your efforts this week.

They are sincerely appreciated by myself and other members of the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT).

I hope you have a relaxing an enjoyable weekend.

Diolch yn fawr,

Liz