Morgan Sindall Construction and Pembrokeshire County Council have celebrated reaching the halfway stage of delivering Haverfordwest’s £48.7m landmark new Haverfordwest High VC School building.
The milestone was marked with a ‘topping-out’ ceremony, where the client team were invited to witness for themselves the dramatic progress that has been made on the former Sir Thomas Picton School site.
The milestone also represents a continuing commitment to transforming Pembrokeshire schools into high quality 21st Century school environments. The strong partnership working between the authority and Welsh Government is providing learners with the very best facilities.
The new school building will accommodate 1500 pupils aged 11-16 and 250 sixth form pupils. It will open in September 2022.
Demolition of the former school started in January 2020, with all involved with the project working hard to ensure construction began in November 2020.
Morgan Sindall Construction are now at the halfway point and on track to have the school ready during summer 2022.
As part of the project, Morgan Sindall Construction are also building new sports facilities including an eight-court sports hall, a full-size floodlit 3G pitch and two multi-use games areas. The existing athletics track, all-weather pitch and grass pitches will also be retained.
It will not just be those that attend the new-build high school and sixth form that benefit from the new sports facilities – all will be available for the local community to use outside of school hours.
Robert Williams, area director of Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We’re delighted to reach this major milestone at Haverfordwest High VC School and see this project really taking shape. Being at this stage of the project, despite all the challenges we have faced with the pandemic and supply chain, is testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.
“The new school will provide first-class educational and sports facilities for both current and future generations of pupils to enjoy, as well as the surrounding community who will have access outside of school hours.
“We look forward to continuing our close working relationship with Pembrokeshire County Council and the Welsh Government as they continue their important work with the 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme.”
Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning at Pembrokeshire County Council, praised the progress on site, and said. “I continue to be impressed with the huge efforts everyone has made to keep this project on time despite the many challenges that have had to be faced and overcome. My heartfelt thanks go to all involved and I very much look forward to this fantastic new school opening in September next year.”
Jane Harries, Headteacher at Haverfordwest High VC School, said: “The school are delighted with the progress achieved by the team despite the challenges posed by COVID. To be able to keep the programme on time and on budget is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team from Pembrokeshire County Council, Morgan Sindall and all the contractors involved.
“The Headteacher, Governors and staff are particularly grateful for the opportunity to be regularly consulted on aspects of the design and build process for the new school which will undoubtedly be an outstanding educational provision for the pupils from Haverfordwest and its catchment area.”
County Councillor Alison Tudor, local member for Prendergast, said there was a great deal of anticipation for the new school, which would make a big difference to the future of education in Haverfordwest.
