Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet member for Education, Inclusion and the Welsh Language, Councillor Rhys Lewis attended Ysgol Llanilltud Faerdref alongside Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle MS, on Thursday, November 14th, to formally open the brand-new school and meet the pupils and staff that are thriving in the new facilities.
The project has provided a new school building with state-of-the art facilities to replace the older, existing buildings and develop the external areas of the wider site.
The project was funded via the Mutual Investment Model (MIM), which is the revenue funding stream of Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. Llanilltud Faerdref Primary School became the first school in Wales to be delivered under this programme, when the brand-new building opened to pupils on April 24, 2024.
The investment has delivered a single-storey new build, which is Net Zero Carbon in operation and accommodates up to 240 pupils plus 30 nursery places. It provides a vibrant and modern learning environment for staff and pupils, while some of the facilities will also be available to be used by the wider community.
Externally, the development includes a two-court Multi Use Games Area, a new playing field and a car park.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Inclusion and the Welsh Language, Said: “It was brilliant to see the pupils and staff enjoying the new facilities and see how much they are benefiting from them. Hearing the excitement from the young people as they showed us around their new facilities was brilliant. The Council would like to thank Welsh Government for the funding to help make this possible.
“Our very strong track record of delivering new school facilities across the County Borough, in partnership with Welsh Government, has continued in recent months. Brand new schools were completed in Cilfynydd, Hawthorn and Rhydyfelin, in a £79.9m investment across Greater Pontypridd – as Ysgol Bro Taf, Ysgol Afon Wen and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Awel Taf opened in time for the 2024/25 academic year. and significant investment at Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive School in Beddau.
Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle MS, said: “I am proud to open these new sustainable learning environments at Ysgol Llanilltud Faerdref and see how Welsh Government funding will enrich the educational experience for our pupils. It was great to hear from the staff and pupils at the school about the benefits these state-of-the art facilities are having on them and the wider community.”
