Parents of prospective pupils have had the chance to tour the development of a new Welsh-medium school in Welshpool as they consider educational options for their children.
Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng played host to an open day highlighting the benefits of a bilingual education at the modern facility, which is due to open in 2023.
The day, organised by the school, Powys County Council, and main contractor Wynne Construction, gave interested parents the opportunity to tour the new site and speak to school leaders on the topic of Welsh-medium education.
The school is currently undergoing a wide-scale redevelopment to accommodate 150 pupils as well as provisions for early years and community facilities, with the design also preserving elements of the historic Ysgol Maesydre building.
Bodelwyddan-based Wynne Construction are leading on the build project, which began in November 2021 after being appointed by Powys County Council.
Alison Hourihane, social value manager at Wynne Construction, said: “Wynne is thoroughly committed to delivering strong socio-economic opportunities to the areas we build in, which is why we were thrilled to work with Powys on this great step forward for education in the region.
“It was our pleasure to welcome prospective parents onto the site to highlight the value of a modern and first-class Welsh-medium education as well as showcase the excellent work of our team to date.
“Work on site to deliver a high-quality and sustainable space for education in the area is progressing well, and we look forward to welcoming students into the new facilities in the near future.”
As part of Wynne’s and Powys’ commitment to achieving net zero on its builds, the redevelopment of the school has incorporated numerous Passivhaus standards into the build aimed at reducing energy usage and retaining heat.
The modern facility, which will also incorporate the historic Grade II-listed site of Ysgol Maesydre, is on course to be among the first certified Passivhaus-hybrid projects in the UK.
Angharad Davies, headteacher of Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng, said: “The value of a Welsh-medium education for children is becoming more recognised by parents who wish to ensure their children can enjoy the benefits of being bilingual and the endless opportunities associated with Welsh education’
“It was our pleasure to welcome interested parents who are looking to help their children take that first step into Welsh-medium education and answer the pressing questions about the system and how we are best placed to support their children.
“The discussions between current parents, pupils, and interested parents was extremely beneficial. Thank you to all involved.”
The project, which has been part backed through the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, will help the council deliver its Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys, which was updated earlier this year.
The programme aims to transform the learning experience of pupils to ensure they are taught in modern facilities needed to support the delivery of the Welsh curriculum.
Cllr Pete Roberts, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “We are committed to improving access to Welsh-medium provision across all key stages of education in Powys and want to increase the opportunities for children and young people in the county, and those who move into the county, to become fully bilingual.
“The new build for Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng is an important project to help us achieve this and help deliver our Welsh in Education Strategic Plan.”
