Pupils and staff at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn y Forwyn have returned to school in style this week, by moving into fantastic new facilities that are fit for the 21st Century. It follows completion of the Council and Welsh Government’s major investment in Welsh Medium primary education for the Rhondda Fach.
The Ferndale school’s first day back after the festive break on Wednesday, January 8, was one of celebration, as the development at the former ‘Chubb’ factory site was completed and a new 270-capacity building welcomed pupils and staff for the first time. Contractor Wynne Construction worked throughout the Christmas period to ensure the building opened for the spring term.
The school’s old site had limited opportunities for improvement, and the new building has been built a short distance away utilising a more suitable location. It includes a 30-place Cylch Meithrin, a Multi Use Games Area, a grass sports pitch, external play areas, a staff car park, and a drop-off/pick-up car park – first class facilities that could not be delivered at the school’s former site.
A dedicated site access has also been built for those pupils and families who are accessing the school by walking or cycling – to encourage Active Travel.
The new school building was built with Structural Insulated Panels – the first of the Council’s school developments to use this sustainable construction method. The panels are made to measure off-site, and have a high level of insulation to considerably reduce the energy used for heating and cooling. They also produce less carbon in the manufacturing and installation process.
The multi-million pound investment has been jointly delivered with Welsh Government. The Council has benefitted from a 65% contribution from the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme to construct the school.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said: “I’m delighted pupils and staff at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn y Forwyn can now enjoy their excellent new site, with the first-class building representing a major upgrade in comparison to their former facilities. The development’s new external areas have taken advantage of the expansive space available to greatly improve pupils’ outdoor learning and play opportunities, while the morning and afternoon pick-up/drop-off arrangements will be safer and less disruptive on this more suitable site.
“This project in Ferndale represents the latest major investment in education facilities across Rhondda Cynon Taf, thanks to our partnership with Welsh Government. Three new schools were delivered in Hawthorn, Cilfynydd and Rhydyfelin in September 2024, as part of a £79.9m investment across Greater Pontypridd – while Llanilltud Faerdref Primary and Penygawsi Primary also received new buildings in 2024. This investment via the Mutual Investment Model will be completed with a new school for Pontyclun Primary in 2025.
“Targeted investment in Welsh Medium education is also a priority, aligned with the ambitious outcomes in our Welsh in Education Strategic Plan. The investment for Ferndale follows key projects to increase the Welsh Medium capacity at YGG Aberdâr and Ysgol Rhydywaun in 2022 – while the brand new YGG Awel Taf has expanded our offer in Rhydyfelin from the current academic year. YGG Castellau in Beddau has also recently benefitted from new facilities, enabling Cylch Meithrin Beddau to expand its provision.
“Like all of our new school developments, we’ve aimed to achieve Net Zero carbon in operation at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn y Forwyn as part of our Climate Change goals and commitments. The new facilities include EV charging points, along with safe cycle storage areas to promote Active Travel – as we aim to encourage families to walk to and from school where possible, and benefit from improved health and well-being that this activity brings.
“The new facilities at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn y Forwyn look fantastic, and are what our young people and staff absolutely deserve. The new school will be an invaluable asset to the local community of Ferndale for generations into the future, while also improving the Welsh Medium education provision for the wider Rhondda Fach area. I’m looking forward to visiting the school very soon, once our staff and pupils have settled into their new surroundings.”
