Construction of a brand new main building for Penygawsi Primary School has now been completed – and work across the site’s external areas will start shortly, ready for pupils to enjoy the fantastic facilities from September.
The Llantrisant school is one of three in Rhondda Cynon Taf to benefit from the latest Council and Welsh Government investment via the revenue funding stream of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme – the Mutual Investment Model. Llanilltud Faerdref Primary received its new building in April, while a similar investment for Pontyclun Primary is progressing for 2025.
Work to build Penygawsi Primary School’s new two-storey building was completed on Monday, July 15, and the staff have since been setting up their new classrooms in readiness for the building’s opening at the start of the 2024/25 academic year.
The new building contains first class facilities and spaces that are arranged around a central heartspace and three ‘wings’. The building accommodates two nursery, one reception, three infant and six junior classrooms – along with a main hall and various supporting areas. The school’s capacity has been increased to 310 primary school pupils (aged 4-11) plus 45 nursery places.
The construction contractor Morgan Sindall will now focus on the external areas of the development. The old buildings are continuing to be emptied this week (commencing July 22) before being demolished, to open up the site for the construction of a new car park, two Multi Use Games Areas and a grass football pitch. These works will start at the end of July 2024. The overall development will also include 40 cycle storage spaces, a Sustainable Urban Drainage System, and improvements to the pedestrian routes to the school site to encourage active travel.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said: “I’m delighted that the brilliant new school building for Penygawsi Primary has been fully-built on schedule, as this latest joint investment with Welsh Government has brought more 21st Century facilities to another local community. Pupils and staff can now look forward to returning after their summer break to a first-class, modern learning environment that is fully-inclusive and will support all areas of the curriculum.
“Our contractor for the development will be working hard throughout the summer to demolish the old school buildings and deliver the external aspects of the site – including a grass pitch, play areas and a car park. Like all of our new builds, the school will achieve Net Zero carbon in operation, supporting our goals and commitments in relation to Climate Change.
“We continue to receive significant funding support from Welsh Government to deliver new education facilities right across the County Borough. The MIM programme has supported this project in Llantrisant along with a similar one for Llanilltud Faerdref Primary that saw another brand new building open in April – and a third scheme for Pontyclun Primary is progressing for next year.
“We’re also entering very exciting times for our Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme investment in Greater Pontypridd, to deliver £79.6m facilities. A brand new sixth form block and other education facilities opened at Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive School in Beddau recently, while brand new schools will open in Cilfynydd, Hawthorn and Rhydyfelin in September 2024 – all benefitting from new-build facilities that each community can be proud of.
“The new facilities at Penygawsi Primary School look fantastic, and I’m really looking forward to visiting staff and pupils there in the new academic year.”
