Plans to transform the closed St Ilan School in Caerphilly into a new Welsh language school have been opened to public consultation.
Cllr Rhianon Passmore, cabinet member for education and lifelong learning, said: “Demand for Welsh Medium education has been steadily increasing over recent years and there is now an urgent need to provide additional Welsh secondary places within the county borough.”
The council is developing the Caerphilly town site into a campus for pupils aged between three and 16. Some post-16 classes will also be taught on the new campus.
The county borough currently only has one Welsh medium secondary school – Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni in Fleur de Lys.
Forecasts have shown there will be an overcapacity of almost 1,000 pupils by 2021.
In January this year, councillors voted to spend £3.5m to begin work on the first phase of the project. Year 7 pupils living in the Caerphilly basin will start at the new school in September 2013.
The new Welsh school will create an additional 900 secondary school places with YGG Caerffili also moving to the new site.
Permission has also been granted for a four court sports hall and changing facilities on the site as part of the development programme.
Consultation will take place in October and November for all interested parties to find out more and have their say on the plans.
School pupils, staff, governors and parents will get the chance to attend special meetings, but the main public meetings are as follows:
Drop-in session, Tuesday November 13 between 9am and 5pm at YGG Caerffili. CF83 3AH.
Public/community meeting, Tuesday November 13 at 7pm at YGG Y Castell. CF83 1WH.
Details about the proposals and feedback forms can be found online at www.caerphilly.gov.uk
For more information about the proposal please contact Mr Julian Williams on 01443 864817 or email willijn@caerphilly.gov.uk
Consultation closes on November 30.