The first works have started on a multi-million pound investment that will deliver a new Welsh-medium secondary school in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Young People, Councillor Sharon Rees, visited Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda in Cymer to mark the start of work on the major development.
She was welcomed by headteacher Craig Spanswick at the beginning of the new school year after enabling works got underway during the summer.
Two existing teaching blocks are being demolished in preparation for the main development, with the work being carried out with minimal disruption to pupils’ education.
The project will see Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda receive a brand-new, fully accessible Welsh-medium school for pupils aged 11 to 19 on its current site.
The new facilities will have capacity for up to 900 pupils, including 150 sixth form students.
Plans also include new outdoor areas and improved sports facilities, which will be available for use by both the school and the wider community.
The investment is being delivered with the Welsh Government through the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme and received full planning consent earlier this year.
The development will significantly increase the number of Welsh-medium education places available to local communities and supports the outcomes of the Council’s Welsh in Education Strategic Plan.
During her visit, Councillor Rees viewed the initial works and discussed the opportunities the development will create for Welsh-medium learners.
Councillor Sharon Rees, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Young People, said:
“I was very pleased to visited Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda early on in the new academic year, to see the work that has been completed over the summer holiday to demolish teaching blocks – the first works on site towards delivering a modern, first-class development with brand new facilities over the coming years. It is also fantastic that this project is coinciding with the school’s 40th anniversary celebrations in 2028.
“We are absolutely committed to investing in Welsh Medium education, as we encourage more families to choose learning in the Welsh language. In 2022, we delivered brand new facilities at Ysgol Rhydywaun in Penywaun and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Aberdâr in Cwmdare, increasing their capacities. Following on, we invested in a new Welsh Medium primary school in Rhydyfelin, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Awel Taf, which opened in 2024 – plus a state-of-the-art school site for Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn y Forwyn in Ferndale in 2025.
“We’re now focusing on the next round of investment for the coming years, as part of a £414 million pound funding commitment with Welsh Government. Within this is the impressive future development for Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda, along with a new 3-19 school plus meithrin for Ysgol Llanhari – with a planning application submitted for this development. All these investments show our Welsh in Education Strategic Plan in action, and reiterate our commitment to the ‘Cymraeg 2050’ goal of one million Welsh speakers.
“These are very exciting times for Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda, and I’m delighted to celebrate the important milestone of the first works on site. The Council is working hard to arrange the main development phase. I’m looking forward to returning to see the site further transform in the near future.”
Craig Spanswick, headteacher of Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda, added:
“Seeing construction begin on our new school is a proud and exciting moment for us. This is a substantial investment in Welsh-medium education by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, and one that will transform opportunities for our learners, providing a modern learning environment and inspiring facilities where young people can thrive and achieve their full potential.”
