15/09/23

Here is your Friday update, covering:

• Praise and recommendations from Estyn for Ysgol Glan Ceubal &Radnor Primary School
• Channel View regeneration scheme milestone reached
• Creating greater flexibility, choice & control for care users
• Council moves to update protected buildings list.

Ysgol Glan Ceubal

Ysgol Glan Ceubal, a Welsh medium primary school in Llandaff North, has been described as a welcoming and compassionate community that values the well-being of its students above all else.

In a report published by Estyn, inspectors highlighted the school's dedication to inclusivity and the attention paid to individuals, as staff collaborate to identify the unique needs of each pupil.

The Education Inspectorate for Wales found the school to have a positive atmosphere, where pupils feel comfortable discussing their concerns in a secure setting and found that pupils demonstrate respect and courtesy towards both their peers and educators, resulting in commendable behaviour.

With a strong commitment to learning, students display positive attitudes and make impressive progress from their respective starting points, especially evident among latecomers to the Welsh language, who flourish following their time in the Welsh Immersion Unit, located at the school.

The school champions the use of the Welsh language across all aspects, empowering students to use their language skills confidently in various contexts. While many students excel in developing their writing and numeracy skills, the report underscores the need to enhance the reading culture to promote a greater enthusiasm for Welsh.

Teachers were found to develop pupils' skills through probing questioning and provide beneficial opportunities for pupils to discuss their work, they were also found to identify the needs of all pupils well and tailor learning support sensitively. However, opportunities for pupils to respond independently to teachers' feedback to improve the quality of their work should be improved.

Read more here

Radnor Primary Schoolin Canton has received praise for its commitment to providing an inclusive and supportive educational environment during a recent inspection by Estyn.

Celebrated for its nurturing atmosphere where pupils and families are valued and respected, the school has been recognised by Wales's Education Inspectorate for its dedication to instilling important values like equity and diversity among pupils who have been found to display excellent behaviour, demonstrating respect for both teachers and their peers.

In its report, Estyn noted the strong relationships among staff, pupils, governors, and parents which contribute to an encouraging and caring atmosphere for all.

The inspection report noted that as pupils progress through the school, they make good development in various aspects of learning and while they excel in oracy and reading skills, their progress in writing requires more attention.

Inspectors highlighted the school's dedication to fostering a healthy lifestyle and by effectively integrating physical fitness into its daily routine, pupils are taught the significance of staying active.

The school's provision for pupils with additional needs and those with English as an additional language has been deemed successful and through collaboration with parents, staff, and external agencies, the school has effectively tailored its approach to accommodate individual requirements.

Read more here

Channel View regeneration scheme milestone reached

Cardiff Council has arrived at a significant milestone in its exciting scheme to regenerate the Channel View estate.

Representing the largest and most exciting holistic estate redevelopment within the council's development programme, the scheme in Grangetown will deliver around 319 new highly energy-efficient, low-carbon mixed-tenure homes, including the replacement of the existing 180 Council-managed properties.

Following the conclusion of the procurement process for the appointment of a developing partner for the project, a preferred bidder has been identified to deliver the entire scheme.

At its next meeting on Thursday, September 21, Cabinet will consider the recommendation to delegate authority to officers in consultation with theCabinetMemberHousing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, toappoint the preferred bidder to the scheme.

Read more here

A new way of providing care for people in Cardiff is being introduced to provide a greater level of choice and control for those using the services.

Those with low level care needs in the city will be able to benefit from a simplified and improved approach to direct payments, making it easier to arrange their own care rather than receiving care from the Council's commissioned care providers.

Many people already commission their own care via direct payments, usually by employing a personal assistant (PA) which can be of significant benefit in meeting individual's specific requirements such as language or cultural needs. However, the use of PA does involve additional complexity and responsibility for the care user, as they are required to be the PA's employer.

To help remove such barriers to using direct payments, the Council has partnered with Community Catalysts CIC, an organisation that specialises in working with local authorities to help local people provide care and support in the community by establishing micro-enterprises that help people to remain independent and support their wellbeing.

Cardiff Council is taking steps to increase the protection afforded to buildings of local architecturalor historical interest in the city against demolition or unsympathetic development.

There are currently more than 200 ‘Buildings of Merit' in the city. While some fall within existing conservation areas, there are many pubs, community buildings and music venues which do not have ‘locally-listed' status but still make an important contribution and have the potential to enrich the historic and cultural life of Cardiff.

Last week, councillors and planning officers moved to remove the owner's right to demolish the Rompney Castle pub in Wentloog Road, Rumney, and now the authority wants to undertake a review of other buildings to give them the same status.

The last review was carried out in 1997 but the resulting list of buildings has not been maintained or reviewed since then, although around a third of the original list of 323 buildings have now been listed by Cadw.

In a proposal to be discussed by the Council's Cabinet later this month, councillors are being asked to agree the consultation process for a first thematic review of the ‘local list, focusing initially on buildings rich in the city's working-class history.

Read more here