Key Points
- Students have now transferred to the new Riverbank School and Woodlands High School premises at the Fairwater Community Campus in Cardiff.
- The institutions are part of the Western Learning Federation and were constructed with the sole purpose of educating students who have Additional Learning Needs (ALN).
- There has been a significant increase in the capacity of Woodlands High School, which has risen from 140 to 240 places. There has also been an increase in the capacity of Riverbank School from 70 to 112 places.
- The premises have modern facilities such as a gymnasium, activity studio, esport zone, sixth form spaces, and role play cabin.
- There has been successful relocation of both schools from their previous sites in Ely.
- This is the final phase of development at the Fairwater Community Campus and the biggest development completed as part of the partnership between Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning initiative.
- The campus successfully brings together Cantonian High School, Woodlands High School, and Riverbank School on one campus.
- The Fairwater Community Campus is a Net Zero Carbon and BREEAM Excellent building that has outdoor growing spaces.
Cardiff (Cardiff Daily) September 28, 2026 – As reported by Rhys Gregory of Wales 247, pupils have officially moved into the brand-new Riverbank School and Woodlands High School buildings located at the Fairwater Community Campus in Cardiff. Operating as part of the Western Learning Federation, these schools are purposefully designed to cater to learners with Additional Learning Needs (ALN). The relocation marks a major operational transition as both schools officially move away from their former sites in Ely.
As detailed by Rhys Gregory of Wales 247, the comprehensive development has allowed both institutions to expand their student capacities substantially. Woodlands High School has increased its student intake from 140 to 240 places, while Riverbank School has expanded its capacity from 70 to 112 places.
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What Modern Facilities Are Included in the Redeveloped Schools?
As outlined by Rhys Gregory of Wales 247, the newly constructed buildings feature specialized, state-of-the-art amenities tailored to modern educational demands. Woodlands High School is equipped with a gymnasium, an activity studio, an esports room, and dedicated sixth-form facilities. Meanwhile, Riverbank School features a specialized role-play cabin to support early developmental and interactive learning.
Furthermore, as noted by Rhys Gregory of Wales 247, the entire campus has been constructed as a Net Zero Carbon and BREEAM Excellent facility. The grounds include outdoor growing areas, providing students with direct opportunities to engage with sustainability and environmental education as part of their daily curriculum.
How Does This Development Fit Into Wider Educational Investments in Cardiff?
As reported by Rhys Gregory of Wales 247, the completion of these specialist schools marks the final phase of the Fairwater Community Campus development. This overarching scheme stands as the largest project delivered collaboratively through Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning programme. The unified campus successfully brings together three distinct institutions—Cantonian High School, Woodlands High School, and Riverbank School—onto a single shared site.
Speaking on the transition, Wayne Murphy, Executive Headteacher at the Western Learning Federation, stated that
“the move into our new buildings represents an exciting new chapter for Riverbank School and Woodlands High School as part of the Western Learning Federation”.
Murphy further added that
“alongside outstanding specialist facilities and integrated support services, the campus will enable us to deliver an inclusive, exciting and skills-focused curriculum while maintaining the unique identity and ethos of each school”.
Background of the Particular Development
The opening of the Fairwater Community Campus buildings represents the culmination of years of strategic planning and large-scale capital investment aimed at overhauling educational infrastructure in the Welsh capital. Driven by a rising regional demand for specialist educational spaces and targeted resources for children with Additional Learning Needs (ALN), local authorities and national government bodies prioritized the creation of modern, integrated learning environments. By consolidating multiple schools onto unified campuses like Fairwater—uniting mainstream secondary education with specialized provisions previously operating out of aging facilities in areas like Ely—the local authority sought to pool resources, streamline integrated support services, and ensure long-term environmental sustainability through Net Zero carbon construction standards.
Impact on the Particular Audience
This developmental milestone is expected to significantly impact pupils with Additional Learning Needs (ALN), their families, and teaching staff within the Cardiff region. By expanding total student capacity—adding scores of new places across Woodlands High School and Riverbank School—the project directly alleviates chronic pressures on specialist school placements. The integration of advanced vocational and recreational amenities, such as dedicated sixth-form areas, esports rooms, and specialized therapy or activity spaces, will likely enhance student engagement, improve post-16 educational transitions, and foster greater social inclusion. For families and educators, the centralized campus model promises more coordinated support services, streamlined multi-agency working, and access to future-proofed, sustainable learning environments designed to equip learners with essential life and practical skills.
