THE CONSTRUCTION of the new £60 million Willows High in Splott has reached a major milestone with a traditional “topping out” ceremony marking the completion of the highest point of the build.
To honour the occasion, a ceremonial tree was gifted to the school, symbolising growth and new beginnings. The event was jointly hosted by Cardiff Council and Morgan Sindall Construction, the contractor responsible for the design and delivery of the state-of-the-art facility.
The new Willows High is one of the latest projects delivered as part of Cardiff Council and Welsh Government’s Band B Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. Once completed, it will accommodate 900 learners aged 11 to 16, along with a 30-place Special Resource Base for pupils with Complex Learning Needs.
Designed to foster excellence in education, the school will feature modern teaching environments and extensive sports facilities including a sports hall, gym, drama studio, and grass pitches – all available for community use outside school hours. Enhanced pedestrian infrastructure will also support active travel to and from the site.
Sustainability is also at the heart of the project with the new school being built to Net Zero Carbon standards in both Embodied and operationally, aligning with the Welsh Government’s ambitious environmental goals.
The ceremony was attended by Cardiff Council Leader Cllr Huw Thomas, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education Cllr Sarah Merry, and Willows High Headteacher Chris Norman, alongside representatives from Welsh Government, school governors, local councillors, and pupils.
Headteacher Chris Norman said: “We are so thrilled to get to this stage of the development as it takes us one step closer to providing our staff and pupils with a first-class educational environment.
“We have been privileged to have been part of this journey from the very beginning and seeing how good the building looks already is very exciting.
“I am sure it will be an inspiring environment where our pupils and the entire community will be able to flourish.”
Cardiff Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education said: “This is a proud moment for the Willows community.
“The new school represents a bold step forward in delivering inclusive, high-quality education, resources and expertise for our young people, in a space where they can thrive.
“This project reflects a substantial investment in the local area, benefiting the entire community with enhanced facilities, including sports fields accessible for public use.
Pupils and stakeholders have also selected a new logo and branding for the school, reflecting its fresh identity and future-forward ethos.
Since construction began in October 2024, significant progress has been achieved. The project is on programme and is being delivered to the highest standards of quality, safety, health and environmental performance.
The structure and floor slabs are now complete, with the external envelope nearing completion and the first stages of the internal fit-out already underway.
The scheme is also delivering strong benefits for the region, with 80% of the project workforce and 81% of the project spend to date sourced from within the South East & Mid Wales Collaborative Construction Framework (SEWSCAP) area.
To date, £800,000 of Social Value has been realised, including the creation of 30 new jobs, almost 6,000 hours of STEM engagement with schools, and a wide range of work experience opportunities for young people. Completion is anticipated during the 2026/27 academic year.
Robert Williams, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Wales, said: “Reaching this topping out milestone at Willows High is a truly significant moment for everyone involved in this project.
“We’re very proud to be working with our client Cardiff Council to deliver this state-of-the-art facility for Cardiff and the Splott community.
“Building to NZC in operation demonstrates how we can deliver outstanding educational facilities whilst leading the way in environmental responsibility.
“Our Community Well-Being Benefits programme has been particularly rewarding, with pupils experiencing first-hand how their new school is taking shape through site visits and STEM workshops – truly embodying our ‘Building Successful Futures’ approach.”
As part of the Community Well-Being Benefits (CWB) programme—formerly known as Social Value – Morgan Sindall Construction has collaborated with Cardiff Council’s Curriculum Team and Willows High to deliver enrichment sessions. These initiatives have provided pupils with hands-on experiences in construction and STEM careers, including site tours and practical workshops.
“Building Successful Futures,” exemplifies the commitment to educational and community development. The CWB programme ensures that large-scale developments contribute meaningfully to local communities through training, recruitment, supply chain engagement, and cultural and environmental initiatives.
