Hundreds of pupils in Hawthorn, Cilfynydd and Rhydyfelin will return after the summer holiday to brand new, first-class education facilities fit for the 21st Century – as the Council and Welsh Government delivers a major £79.9m investment that will serve our communities for generations to come.
The start of the 2024/25 academic year represents an exciting new beginning for Ysgol Afon Wen, Ysgol Bro Taf, and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Awel Taf. The newly forming schools have benefitted from multi-million pound investments in brand new school and community facilities, delivered in partnership with the Council and Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.
It’s been an incredibly busy summer across the three school sites, as the Council’s contractors put the finishing touches to the developments – so they are ready in time to welcome staff and pupils in the first week of September.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said: “The wait is almost over for Ysgol Afon Wen, Ysgol Bro Taf, and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Awel Taf, which will open their doors for the first time this week, welcoming pupils and staff to their wonderful new learning environments. Replacing old facilities with bright, modern buildings with such excellent facilities will give pupils in Hawthorn, Cilfynydd and Rhydyfelin new opportunities in their education every day.
“The three projects have been jointly delivered by the Council and Welsh Government as part of a major £79.9m programme – investing in our schools and establishing local hubs for the future. These are facilities that our young people, school staff, and communities absolutely deserve. A fourth project was also delivered within this investment, with Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive in Beddau having already received new school, sixth form and sports facilities.
“We have an excellent track record of delivering education investments with Welsh Government – completing a similar, multi-school investment across the Rhondda between 2018 and 2020, as well as more recent projects at Hirwaun Primary, Ysgol Rhydywaun and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Aberdâr. We also completed brand new school buildings for Llanilltud Faerdref Primary and Penygawsi Primary earlier in 2024, with similar projects planned for Pontyclun Primary and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn y Forwyn in the months ahead.
“The grand openings of Ysgol Afon Wen, Ysgol Bro Taf, and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Awel Taf are the culmination of many years of hard work by many people. I’d like to thank the respective schools, staff and pupils, as well as our Council officers and appointed contractors – everyone came together to make this possible. I’d like to wish the three new schools the very best of luck for their openings and for their futures. I can’t wait to visit each school soon once the pupils and staff have settled into their new surroundings.”
