The huge investment in education facilities at Ysgol Afon Wen in Hawthorn is now fully-delivered, with the final phase of work completing the external areas of the brand new school development over the Easter holiday.
The community has benefitted from a brand new school environment since September 2024, thanks to major joint funding from the Council and Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. The 3-16 Ysgol Afon Wen newly-formed at the start of the current academic year, and welcomed all pupils from the former Hawthorn High and Hawthorn Primary schools, and the English Medium stream of Heol y Celyn Primary School.
The development has been built on the former Hawthorn Primary and Hawthorn High School site, and was delivered across three main phases of work. In 2023, phase one constructed a new Multi Use Games Area for the primary school, a main car park, and bus drop-off areas. Phase two then delivered a new 28-classroom teaching block for Key Stages 2-4, refurbished some of the existing buildings and teaching areas, and improved several of the site’s outdoor learning areas.
Since September, phase three has focused on demolishing two old teaching blocks to allow external areas to be developed. It has delivered a second Multi Use Games Area, an outdoor classroom, additional on-site car parking, and extensive landscaping of the wider site. The existing astroturf sports pitch that the school uses has also been resurfaced, which was jointly funded by Sports Wales and the Council, while more improvements to the community changing rooms will be undertaken over the coming summer.
In addition, a new childcare facility offering Flying Start and Childcare Offer places successfully opened at the school in January 2025. Blossom Early Years caters for children aged 2-5 years-old, and offers both Flying Start funded places for children aged 2-3 years, and Childcare Offer funded places for nursery aged children. The new setting benefits from a fully-equipped main playroom, food preparation kitchen, children’s cloakroom, dedicated nursery age toilet facilities and changing area, and a secure outdoor play space.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said: “I’m delighted that this major investment in education facilities for the Hawthorn community is now fully-delivered. Pupils returning to school following the Easter break are now able to enjoy the new sports and leisure pitches, external learning areas, and extra outdoor spaces – with the sun shining on the first week of the summer term!
“The overall project was made possible thanks to our ongoing partnership with Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. Ysgol Afon Wen was one of several new schools to open in September 2024 across Greater Pontypridd – with Hawthorn, Cilfynydd, Rhydyfelin and Beddau benefitting from a joint £79.9 million investment. We’ve also delivered new school buildings for Penygawsi Primary, Pontyclun Primary, Llanilltud Faerdref Primary, and YGG Llyn y Forwyn – all also within the past year.
“And the major investment in education facilities across Rhondda Cynon Taf will not end here. In March 2025, the Council’s Cabinet also considered a report outlining the next tranche of school investment projects – these will be progressed over the next three years across Cymer, Llanhari, Dolau/Llanilid, Clydach Vale, Ynysybwl, Aberdare, Penrhys, Abernant and Glyn-coch.
“I’d like to thank pupils, staff and the wider community for their cooperation while the investment was delivered in Hawthorn. The project was constructed in distinct phases to minimise disruption to everyday school life and pupils’ learning. I’d also like to thank the Council’s contractor Kier Construction Ltd, for working closely with officers over several years, to successfully deliver this multi-million pound investment that will be at the heart of the community for generations to come.”
