Six schools across Newport are set to benefit from more than £1 million of Welsh Government funding to develop new facilities designed to support local communities.
Newport City Council has secured just over £1 million through the Welsh Government’s Community Focused Schools capital grant programme, which helps schools create facilities that strengthen links with their communities and provide services beyond the classroom.
The funding will support projects at Llanwern High School, Maesglas Primary School, St Julian’s School, St Patrick’s RC Primary School, St Woolos Primary School and Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd.
Councillor Deb Davies, deputy leader of Newport City Council and cabinet member for early years and education, welcomed the funding.
“I’m delighted that we are able to announce another £1m of investment into our schools,” said Councillor Deb Davies, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for early years and education.
“This grant award will build on the £10m of investment into our schools we announced earlier in the year when we set our budget for 2026/27
“Schools play a vital role in local communities, and they are well placed to support and host programmes and activities that benefit pupils and residents beyond the classroom, so I’m really pleased that we have been able to secure this funding to help more of our schools to support their local area.”
At Llanwern High School, the funding will create a new e-sports and digital skills facility. The space will support post-16 qualifications for students while also offering a modern venue for community digital inclusion and skills programmes.
St Julian’s School will receive a new padel court, improving sporting opportunities for pupils during the school day and providing additional community sports facilities outside school hours.
Meanwhile, Maesglas Primary School, St Patrick’s RC Primary School and Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd will each receive a standalone Community Cwtch building. These facilities are used by community support organisations to deliver services including early intervention programmes, wellbeing support and family engagement initiatives.
At St Woolos Primary School, funding will be used to refurbish and fit out the school’s undercroft building, creating a food bank and community cooking facility. The new space will support the school’s Big Bocs Bwyd initiative and host family cookery workshops and other community activities.
The investment forms part of wider efforts to strengthen the role of schools as community hubs, providing facilities and services that benefit both pupils and local residents.
