Expanding Ysgol Iolo Morganwg
CONSULTATION ON THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE CAPACITY FOR WELSH MEDIUM EDUCATION BY EXPANDING YSGOL IOLO MORGANWG FROM 210 PLACES TO 420 PLACES FROM SEPTEMBER 2025.

Introduction to the proposal
The proposal is to expand Ysgol Iolo Morganwg from 210 places to 420 places from September 2025. Additionally the proposal also includes increasing nursery provision to 96 part time places and an adult education and Welsh language immersion centre for primary school aged pupils from 7 years old and above, as well as offering Adult and Community Learning Programs after school hours.
The proposal would mean constructing a new 420 place primary school building on the Section 106 land within the ‘Land to the north and west of Darren Close’ housing development. Upon completion of the building, Ysgol Iolo Morganwg would transfer to the new site. This would provide an additional 210 Welsh medium primary places and 30 nursery places. This would support growth in Welsh medium primary education, supporting the Council’s WESP and Welsh Governments ‘Cymraeg 2050’ strategy.
To support Welsh medium expansion within Cowbridge and across the Vale, an additional facility would be established onsite to support adult education and immersion for late learners (primary aged pupils 7+ year olds) to Welsh medium education.
The Council is consulting on expanding Ysgol Iolo Morganwg. Although the transferring of the school to the new building is included as part of this consultation document, this is not subject to the statutory process as the transfer would be within 1 mile.
This consultation gives you the opportunity to ask questions and make comments that will be considered when the Council’s Cabinet decides how to proceed.
Expanding Ysgol Iolo Morgannwg consultation document
Reasons for the proposal
The Council must ensure that schools serve their local communities and are reflective of demand. There is a need to meet future demand from the new housing developments in Cowbridge, as well as the increased demand for Welsh medium education.
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A new 420 place school building would accommodate the projected increase in pupil numbers from surrounding new developments.
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The increased capacity would also accommodate the projected increase in parents choosing Welsh medium education.
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Ysgol Iolo Morganwg comprises a main Victorian school building, dining block and 3 storage units constructed between 1900 – 1920. Three demountable units were installed between 2002 – 2010. The school is on a very confined sloping site with no prospect of substantially increasing the site to meet modern standards.
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Irregular sized classrooms resulting in different sizes throughout year groups rather than following a standard classroom size.
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It is not possible to replace the school with a new build at its current location due to restricted outside space.
Responding to the consultation
The consultation period will run from 27 February 2023 to 11 April 2023.
Your views are important to us, and there are a number of ways that you can respond to the consultation:
All responses given to us in writing by 11 April 2023 will be considered by Cabinet before it decides whether or not to publish a statutory notice.
Finding out more
You can download a copy of the consultation document, community impact assessment and letter detailing the proposal.
You can also attend a drop-in session and speak to us in person:
Drop-in sessions
Session | Date and time | Location |
Community drop in session
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28 March 2023, 2.30pm – 6pm
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Ysgol Iolo Morganwg, Broadway, Cowbridge, CF71 7ER
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Parents and Community drop in session
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30March 2023, 8.30am – 9.30am 3pm – 4pm
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Ysgol Iolo Morganwg, Broadway, Cowbridge, CF71 7ER
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This is a good way to be able to get answers to any questions you many have about the proposals. We will still ask that you complete a consultation response form, as we can only accept views in writing.
To learn more about the stages of the statutory consultation process, read our handy guide.
Contact details
Frequently Asked Questions