Pupils from Glyn-coch’s two existing primary schools were among the visitors to the construction site of Ysgol Gynradd Glyn-coch – their community’s ultra-sustainable school that will be opening its doors for the first time later this year. The visit celebrated the construction phase reaching an important milestone, as the works have now reached the building’s highest point.
The new primary school and community hub for Glyn-coch is being delivered by the Council and Welsh Government – using multi-million pound funding from the Sustainable Schools Challenge to bring Cefn Primary and Craig yr Hesg Primary together. The site will include a two-storey building with first-class facilities, a 43-space car park with EV charging, two Multi Use Games Areas, a grass sports field, and an improved site access. It is being built on the current Craig yr Hesg Primary site and its adjacent land.
In December 2025, Cabinet agreed recommendations for the new school to be officially named Ysgol Gynradd Glyn-coch, following input from staff and pupils, the wider community, and the school’s temporary governing body.
The project will be at the forefront of sustainable development in Wales, achieving ‘Net Zero’ carbon in operation and exceeding current targets for reductions in embodied carbon within the construction itself. It will targetPassivhaus Standard, Building With Nature accreditation, and the WELL Building Standard – aimed at creating healthy environments for building users.
Contractor Willmott Dixon hosted a celebratory ‘topping out’ event on Friday, January 30, as works have reached the building’s highest point. Pupils from Cefn Primary and Craig yr Hesg Primary were among the visitors to sign the building’s timber frame to mark the milestone.
Also among the visitors were Council Cabinet Member, Councillor Rhys Lewis; the appointed Headteacher of the new school, Sarah Haggett; Member of Parliament for Pontypridd, Alex Davies-Jones; and Member of the Senedd for the Cynon Valley, Vicki Howells.
Willmott Dixon has also provided a progress update for the construction work. Significant progress has been made since the start of works last spring, with the first phase of groundworks and timber frame installation now completed. Current activity is focusing on roofing, brickwork, and the installation of windows and external doors. The next major milestone will be to ensure the building is wind and watertight, which is on course to be achieved by Easter. This will enable internal works such as pipework, cabling and internal finishes.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Inclusion and the Welsh Language, said: “I was delighted to visit the school construction site in Glyn-coch, to see the excellent progress being made in building this ultra-sustainable school and community hub – a leading development at the forefront of Welsh Government’s drive for more sustainable schools. I’ve been enjoying the regular video updates from the Fern Criw, made up of pupils from Cefn Primary and Craig yr Hesg Primary, who are reporting on every step of the development – and it was brilliant to see the progress being made in person during Friday’s celebratory visit.
“I’d also like to thank contractor Willmott Dixon for their continued hard work and dedication in providing a first-class facility that will be at the heart of Glyn-coch for generations to come. I enjoyed joining the site team for Friday’s event, along with officers who work hard behind the scenes to make projects like these happen. It was also brilliant to see pupils joining in the celebrations and getting excited as we count down the months until the new school opens.
“The Council was one of only three in the whole of Wales to secure Sustainable Schools Challenge funding, and the Council continues to welcome the huge support from Welsh Government to help us provide major school investments right across Rhondda Cynon Taf. Our joint £414 million funding commitment will progress nine more projects in the years ahead, with the new ALN school for Clydach Vale, Ysgol Cambrian, on course for completion by September 2026. We’ve also appointed contractors for developments at Penrhys Primary, Ysgol Llanhari and Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda, while the community will be able to find out more about exciting proposals for Buarth y Capel in Ynysybwl at a local event on February 3.
“The Council will keep residents up-to-date at every key milestone of the Glyn-coch project, as the site will continue to transform in the months ahead. Meanwhile, preparations are continuing behind the scenes to put everything in place for Ysgol Gynradd Glyn-coch to establish as a brand new school and community facility which will greatly benefit pupils, staff and local residents.”
Ian Jones, Director at Willmott Dixon, added, “Today’s topping out ceremony is a proud moment for everyone involved in bringing this new school to life. We are incredibly proud to deliver Ysgol Gynradd Glyn-coch, which has been made possible with the strong collaboration between Willmott Dixon and the Council, and the unwavering support of the school community.
“We’re building more than classrooms – we’re creating a space where children will learn, grow, and thrive for generations to come. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to reaching this significant point in the project.”
