Proposals to change the secondary school for the Ysgol Glan Morfa catchment area have some Splott residents concerned over how their children will get to school when they move up from primary.
The transfer of the Ysgol Glan Morfa catchment from Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf to Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern is part of a new Council plan for the 2021/22 school year.
Although Bro Edern is closer to Splott than Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf, there are no free buses to the school and no direct Cardiff Buses.
Comments on Inksplott Facebook reveal that some parents have concerns over the impact the change in secondary schools will have on their children getting to and home from school.
One reader commented,
“Whilst I have no issues with the proposals in principle, the lack of transport presents a huge barrier and is a cause of significant parental concern about the safety of our children.
The parents of children who failed to get into Glantaf last year are being forced to drive their children to and from Bro Edern which is adding significantly to congestion not to mention environmentally damaging. Many other parents without the use of a car have little option but to send their children off to school very early, in the dark, on the number 2 Cardiff Bus service, alighting on Wellfield Road and then walking a further twenty minutes through very busy built-up areas. The whole journey takes well over an hour one-way and is unsafe. There are no direct bus routes from Splott and Tremorfa to Bro Edern.
I would urge parents to contact the Council to ask that they reassess the school transport policy as a matter of urgency as it is clearly no longer fit for purpose. I would also strongly argue that the Council should work towards providing a direct bus service from Splott and the surrounding area to Bro Edern. Although not ideal and less than fair in the circumstances, I would consider making a contribution to a subsidised direct bus service.”
Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said:
“School catchment areas are constantly under review to help ensure that the supply and demand for school places is distributed evenly and strategically across the city.
“There is also the need to realign some catchment areas for Welsh-medium secondary schools due to some schools being currently oversubscribed, whilst others have surplus places.
“The consultation presents an opportunity for people to come forward and have their say and I encourage people to submit their views, which can help shape school organisation proposals.”
If you have concerns over the change in proposed secondary schools for Ysgol Glan Morfa pupils, you can make them known as part of a public consultation that has opened today and will run until Wednesday 26th February 2020.
Details of the consultation are available to view on the Council website via the link www.cardiff.gov.uk/catchmentareas