New £28m Catholic school could replace three Torfaen schools

The school would provide "world class" Catholic education to pupils aged 3-16 years on behalf of the Archdiocese of Cardiff.

Under the proposals, St Albans RC High School in Pontypool would close along with Cwmbran primaries Our Lady of the Angels RC Primary School and St David’s RC.

Torfaen council is hoping the 957-place school will open in September 2022 – although a site has yet to be confirmed.

Cabinet members will consider sending an outline business case for the school to the Welsh Government on October 9.

The local authority will ask the Welsh Government to contribute £23.8 million towards the scheme – 85 per cent of the projected outlay.

The Archdiocese would pay £3.2 million towards the project, with the council covering the remaining £1 million.

In 2010/11, the Archdiocese outlined plans to reorganise its schools in Torfaen through the 21st Century Schools programme.

A joint venture between the Archdiocese and the Church in Wales was originally mooted but has since been scrapped, with the latter looking to pursue their own religious secondary school in Torfaen.

“The Archdiocese of Cardiff’s ambition is to create a world class Catholic education system that enables all the children of the Archdiocese to achieve their spiritual, educational and human potential,” the report says.

“The key investment objectives for the proposal are to restructure Catholic education in the area so that it is a beacon of educational excellence in Wales.”

The three school buildings set to close are described as "inadequate, ageing and potentially failing" within the report.

The new-build school would have an adjusted capacity to meet ‘true Roman Catholic demand’, with 42 FTE (full time equivalent) places at nursery level, 315 places at primary and 600 for secondary.

A public consultation on the proposed school closures is expected to start in early 2019, with a further consultation on revised admission arrangements planned from 2020.