Swansea Council says the new school, due to open in 2031, will provide modern classrooms, improved outdoor facilities, a part‑time nursery, Flying Start provision and a Specialist Teaching Facility for pupils needing extra support.
The council’s cabinet has now approved publishing a statutory notice to amalgamate Blaenymaes and Portmead Primary Schools – but not until 2030, just a year before the new building is due to open.
That change follows feedback from staff, parents and pupils during consultation earlier this year. Originally, amalgamation was proposed for 2027.
Council view
Cabinet Member for Education Robert Smith said the delay was a direct response to community concerns:
“One of the clear messages from the consultation was that both communities recognise that better buildings and facilities are needed. The main concern expressed related to the proposed date of amalgamation and in response to these representations the change has been made so that amalgamation would not happen until 2030.”
He stressed that both schools will continue to operate as normal for the next five years while the new school is designed and built.
Council Leader Rob Stewart added:
“Working with our colleagues at Welsh Government we are committed to investing £420m in new and improved schools in the coming years. We have already delivered the largest investment in school infrastructure ever seen in Swansea and we will be announcing more investment proposals in the months to come.”
The proposed site for the new school is near the existing Blaenymaes Primary site.
Governors’ opposition
But the Governing Body of Portmead Primary School has issued a strong statement opposing the amalgamation.
While not against the principle of a new school building, governors say they are firmly against merging the two schools, warning it would damage pupils’ learning, well‑being and sense of identity.
They said:
“New is not always better, and both schools have worked extremely hard to develop their own bespoke approaches, offering the nurture, care, and community support that meet the specific needs of their pupils.”
Governors say they have collected more than 190 signatures from parents and visitors opposing the move adding that “the level of objection is extremely high”.
Governors added that they “remain concerned that merging two schools with distinct identities and educational needs will have a significant negative impact on pupils’ learning, well-being, and sense of belonging, while also undermining the strong community identity that has been built over many years.”
They also raised fears about what would happen to the Portmead site once it is vacated, warning it could become a magnet for anti‑social behaviour and vandalism.
“There are examples of abandoned school buildings nearby that have been left to fall into ruin posing a significant risk to the safety of others and are an eyesore for the local communities that have to deal with an increase in criminal activity,” the statement said.
What happens next
The statutory notice to amalgamate the schools will now be published, with a further consultation period to follow. A final decision on the future use of the existing school sites will be made at the end of that process if the proposal is approved.
