St David's Catholic Sixth Form College is considering changing status to become a Voluntary Aided School, dissolving the College as a ‘designated Further Education Institution.' 

Cardiff Council's Cabinet will consider a report on the change of status tomorrow, January 18, after the college's Governing Body drew up proposals to come back under local education authority control. The report recommends that the Council should support the college's proposals, subject to due diligence and Welsh Ministers' approval. 

St David's College provides a range of post-16 courses for around 1,500 pupils from across the city. 

Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council, and Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry, said: "Primary schools across Cardiff have seen a significant rise in pupils over recent years, and this is now beginning to impact on the numbers of students who are entering secondary schools. This increased demand for places will naturally, in time, have an impact on the demand for places in Sixth Forms. 

"Bringing St David's back under Council control will help us enhance our strategic planning for 16-19 education in the city. It would also give us greater flexibility in addressing the increased demand as the city's population rises." 

St David's College has carried out a consultation on the move with stakeholders across the city over the past few months. 

The college has shared copies of the most recent condition survey for the college estate with the Council. The report identifies a backlog of repairs of £5.293m, and an assessment of the buildings places them in the B and C categories for condition - category A being the highest rating. 

The college has subsequently funded works to address issues with the roof, external cladding and one floor of classroom refurbishments. 

St David's College has also supplied a copy of their individual bid for £5.989m Welsh Government funding, through Band B of the 21st Century Schools programme. 

If the bid for funds is successful, the resulting work would almost clear the backlog of repairs which have been identified, significantly reducing any liability transferred to the Council, should the college's change of status go ahead.