Ambitious plans for a brand‑new school building for Sennybridge C.P. School have taken a major step forward, with Powys County Council confirming that Welsh Government funding has now been secured.
The Welsh Government will fund 65% of the £9.6m project through its Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, including £6.2m towards the main project costs and over £500,000 towards the Net Zero Carbon elements of the build. The council will fund 35% of the project.
Contractors Kier Construction, who have been appointed to build the new school, will begin setting up on site from Monday, March 30 with main works scheduled to start in early May.
The project will deliver a new 120‑place primary school, replacing the current building with modern, energy‑efficient and fit‑for‑purpose facilities that support high‑quality teaching and learning from the Foundation Phase through to the end of Key Stage 2. Early years childcare provision will also be co‑located on the same site.
This investment is a key element of the council’s Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys, and supports its ambition for a Stronger, Fairer, Greener Powys by creating a sustainable learning environment that enhances pupil well‑being and educational outcomes.
Separately, the council will begin a consultation on the proposal to move Sennybridge C.P. School along the Welsh language continuum so that it would eventually become a Welsh‑medium school. This consultation will begin after the Easter holidays.
Cllr James Gibson‑Watt, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “This is fantastic news for Sennybridge. Securing Welsh Government funding means we can now move from planning to delivery.
“The new school building will give learners the modern, inspiring spaces they deserve and will support high‑quality childcare, teaching and learning for many years to come.
“We will also begin consultation after Easter on moving the school along the Welsh language continuum. If taken forward, this would be introduced gradually from September 2027 so that pupils can benefit from increased bilingual opportunities while ensuring continuity for those already in the school.
“Together, these developments support our Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys and our ambition for a Stronger, Fairer, Greener Powys – creating a sustainable, modern learning environment while strengthening bilingual education for future generations.”
