Proposal to amalgamate Blaenymaes and Portmead primary schools - Statutory notice

School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013

Notice is given in accordance with section 41 and 43 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 and the School Organisation Code that the Council of the City and County of Swansea (hereinafter referred to as "the Council"), The Guildhall, St Helen's Crescent, Swansea, SA1 4PE, being the Local Authority, having consulted such persons as required, propose to:

• Discontinue Blaenymaes Primary School (Broughton Avenue, Blaenymaes, SA5 5LW) a school currently maintained by the Council.
• Discontinue Portmead Primary School and the Special Teaching Facility (Cheriton Crescent, Portmead, SA5 5LA) a school currently maintained by the Council.
• Establish a new English Medium Community Primary School and Special Teaching Facility for boys and girls aged 3 to 11. This school will be maintained by the Council.

This new school will incorporate the buildings of the existing schools, on the existing sites at Broughton Avenue, Blaenymaes, SA5 5LW and Cheriton Crescent, Portmead, SA5 5LA.

The Council undertook a period of consultation before deciding to publish this proposal. A consultation report containing a summary of the issues raised by consultees, the proposer's responses and Estyn's full response is available on Proposal to amalgamate Blaenymaes and Portmead primary schools.

It is proposed to implement the proposal on 1 September 2030.

It is intended that this new school would service the existing designated catchment area of Blaenymaes and Portmead Primary Schools.  The new school capacity will be 518. The number of pupils to be admitted to the new Primary school at age 4/5 in the first school year in which the proposals are to be implemented is 74.

The new school will include a 'Social Communication with Learning Difficulties' Special Teaching Facility for up to 18 planned places for a group of pupils, of ages 3-11, with Individual Development Plans (IDPs) that will be maintained by the Local Authority.

Pupils admitted to the Specialist Learning Facility will be in addition to the admission number for the relevant age group at the school.

The Council will be the admissions authority. It is proposed that the admission arrangements will not make any provision for selection by aptitude or ability.

Admission to the new primary school will be via automatic transfer for full-time pupils on roll at the point of closure at Blaenymaes Primary School and Portmead Primary School (subject to parental preference). All other admissions will be via the Council's School Admission Policy. Admission arrangements for pupils entering the Specialist Learning Support Centre will be via a special admission panel of Swansea Council.

There will be no change to current transport arrangements for pupils.

Transport arrangements will be in line with the Council's Home to School Travel Policy. Full details can be found at Home to school transport policy (Sept 2015).

Within a period of 28 days after the date of publication of these proposals, that is to say by 27 October 2025, any person may object to the proposals. Objections should be sent to the Director of Education, The Guildhall, St Helen's Crescent, Swansea SA1 4PE or emailed to schoolorganisation@swansea.gov.uk.

The Council will publish a summary of any such objections made (and not withdrawn in writing) within the objection period, together with their observations thereon, within the period of 28 days after the objection period. The Cabinet of the City and County of Swansea will decide whether to implement the proposal.

Signed: Helen Morgan-Rees
Director of Education
29 September 2025

Explanatory note

(This is not part of the formal notice. It is intended to provide further information and background to the proposals.)

1. The Local Authority (LA) is proposing to replace the existing Blaenymaes and Portmead Primary Schools with an amalgamated Primary school incorporating existing buildings on the 2 existing sites. The STF and Flying Start Facilities will remain in place and operate just as they do now.
2. Pupils currently enrolled in Blaenymaes and Portmead Primary schools will transfer to the new Primary school.
3. Delegated funding for the new school will be in accordance with the City and County of Swansea's local funding formula for schools.
4. Hard copies or alternative formats of all documentation may be obtained upon request from the School Organisation Team: schoolorganisation@swansea.gov.uk
   Telephone: 01792 636509