Works are now underway to deliver a 21stCentury learning environment for pupils at Ferndale Community School, as part of wider £2m improvements being delivered at the school over the coming months.
The Council is investing £85m into Rhondda and Tonyrefail schools in time for the 2018/19 academic year, with support from the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools and Education Programme. New ‘all through’ schools are being delivered in Porth, Tonyrefail and Tonypandy, while a number of local schools are benefitting from improvements being made over the summer.
Ferndale Community School will benefit from two new ICT suites designed to 21st Century Schools standards, while a new Design and Technology Room will be provided. An existing Science laboratory will be refurbished, while an additional classroom will be created utilising existing space within the school.
Classrooms within the main building will be converted to Additional Learning Needs (ALN) rooms in order to accommodate pupils with ALN, while the school’s toilet areas will be improved and remodelled, together with a new roof to the school’s kitchen.
The Council has appointed contractor GKR Maintenance and Building Co. Ltd to deliver these improvements. Works have recently begun and will be completed before pupils return to school following their summer holiday in September 2018.
The school is also benefitting from a new ‘all-weather’ 3G sports pitch, which will be completed by September after works started in April 2018. Also planned is an upgrade of the swimming pool changing rooms that will be remodelled during the 2019/20 academic year.
Councillor Joy Rosser, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “More and more pupils across the County Borough are benefitting from 21st Century Schools thanks to huge investment by the Council and Welsh Government. The latest £85m funding for Rhondda and Tonyrefail will transform the education offer in a number of communities from September, improving opportunities for our young people.
“The works being undertaken in Ferndale this summer will provide a number of improved classrooms for the benefit of staff and pupils, and further improve the facilities for young people with Additional Learning Needs. The outdoor leisure offer on site will also be expanded thanks to the new 3G sports pitch, with current construction progress going well. The school will also benefit from improved toilet facilities and a new kitchen roof from September.
“The first phase of these works got underway recently, while the second phase will begin once the school breaks up for the summer holiday. I’m looking forward to seeing good progress being made over the coming weeks, so staff and pupils can enjoy the facilities from the 2018/19 academic year.”
