A new primary school to serve Cathays and parts of Gabalfa, Heath, Llandaff North and Plasnewydd has been named Fairoak Primary School and will officially open in September 2025.
Applications for Reception places are now open at the newly established school which will provide 420 English medium primary places and a nursery. Fairoak Primary School will bring together pupils, staff and communities from Allensbank and Gladstone Primary Schools as part of plans to renew and improve primary school provision in the area.
Chosen by pupils, parents, staff and governors following extensive consultation, the new school name has taken inspiration from nature and a 600-year-old ancient oak tree which once stood proudly in the locality of the school.
Children have played an important role in creating a vision for the new school which looks to encompass a commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community where everyone shares a deep sense of identity and belonging. A new school council has been formed with pupils from both Allensbank and Gladstone Primary schools and pupils have been integral to the design process of the new school logo and uniform which will be launched in the new year.
The new school will be located at the junction of Fairoak Road, Crwys Road, Cathays Terrace and Whitchurch Road, occupying the site currently shared by Gladstone and St Monica’s Church in Wales Primary Schools.
Headteacher Paula Shipton-Jones said:
“We are delighted to embark on this exciting journey of bringing together two well established schools to form one new primary school. This unification not only builds upon the remarkable successes each school has already achieved but also creates a unique opportunity to unite our community. “Together, we will share expertise and resources, enriching the learning experiences for all our learners. This collaboration will foster a vibrant environment where every child can thrive and reach their full potential.”
Chair of Governors at the school, Cllr Chris Weaver added:
“Bringing these two schools together in the new Fairoak Primary offers the chance to create a wonderful new school community, and it’s so fantastic to see children already forming friendships and working together. We want to acknowledge the great history of Allensbank and Gladstone, whilst creating a supportive and creative new school that will help pupils succeed for many years to come”
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Mery said:
“The establishment of Fairoak Primary School will provide a wealth of exciting opportunities for children and families in the area and marks an important milestone. It is wonderful to hear that children are looking forward to joining the new school and are already making new friendships through a range of transitioning activities.
“The amalgamation of Allensbank and Gladstone Primary Schools will present improvements in resources and investment and have a positive impact on the quality of both teaching and learning provision, helping to meet the needs of the community, whilst ensuring a smooth transition for pupils from the age of three through to high school.
“We recognise that any changes to schools can bring mixed emotions and many in the community may be feeling a sense of nostalgia – indeed my own children went to Gladstone school – but I know too how closely the two schools are working together already and there is real excitement at what lies ahead”
Allensbank and Gladstone Primary Schools will formally close on 31st August 2025. Applications are now open for reception places to start at Fairoak Primary School in September 2025. The deadline for applications closes on January 13th 2025.
Pupils currently on roll at Allensbank and Gladstone Primary Schools will be able to transfer over to the new school and information will be communicated to parents directly.
The new school forms part of the Council’s renewal and improvement plans to reorganise four primary schools in Cathays and parts of Gabalfa, Heath, Llandaff North and Plasnewydd. Proposals have been designed to improve learning opportunities and support schools with financial pressures currently being experienced in the area whilst helping to achieve the correct balance of English and Welsh medium primary provision so that current and future demand in the area can be met.
Agreed by Cardiff Council’s Cabinet in January 2024, the plans include:
- Amalgamating Allensbank and Gladstone Primary Schools to establish a new 420 place (2FE) English-medium Primary School with nursery on the current shared Gladstone Primary School / St Monica’s Church in Wales Primary School site.
- Transferring Ysgol Mynydd Bychan to the current Allensbank Primary School site.
- Increasing the capacity of Ysgol Mynydd Bychan from 192 places (0.9FE) to 420 places (2FE) and increase the number of nursery places at Ysgol Mynydd Bychan from 64 to 96.
- Transferring St Monica’s Church in Wales Primary School to the current Ysgol Mynydd Bychan site allowing the school to have nursery provision, following agreement of the Governing Body of St Monica’s Church in Wales Primary School.
The speech and language early intervention class currently hosted by Allensbank will continue and will transfer to the new school.
Cllr Merry added:
“The agreed plans ensure that funding available is used to maximise benefits for all learners and through collaborative working and utilising existing assets more efficiently, the schools involved will enjoy a number of benefits including improved resources and learning opportunities for pupils and staff. The existing buildings are being kept so the school communities can be reassured there will be sufficient places to respond to any future population changes.”
