Minister celebrates construction of three new Torfaen Primaries

Education Minister, Huw Lewis will be in Torfaen today to celebrate the beginning of construction at three new local Primary schools.

The Minister will attend the sod cutting ceremony at Blenheim Road Community School in Cwmbran, which will also mark the beginning of construction work at Torfaen’s Llantarnam Primary and Ysgol Panteg.

The new schools are being funded through the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools programme, which will see £1.4 billion being invested in over 150 schools across Wales between 2014 and 2019.

In the second year of the programme the Welsh Government has already given final approval for work at 79 different schools meaning that over 50% of the Programme target has been met.

The Welsh Government has provided £10.25m towards the three new primaries in Torfaen which is 50% of the total project cost.

The Education Minister said:

“Our 21st Century Schools programme is about ensuring Welsh pupils are able to learn in buildings that inspire and motivate them.

“These three new schools will ensure modern, state of the art learning environments for primary school pupils in Torfaen and I am delighted, that despite the challenging financial climate, we have been able to invest over £10m of Welsh Government money to ensure the very best learning environments for local pupils.

“Of course this is about more than replacing former school buildings. Investment of this scale benefits not only Welsh learners, but further develops communities and offers additional employment and training opportunities for local people.

“I am confident that once completed these buildings will offer local communities excellent examples of high quality schools, built for the 21st century. “

Torfaen’s Executive Member for Education, Councillor David Yeowell said:

“Torfaen council is committed to providing children with safe, inspiring learning environments which are appropriate for educational development.

“The new primary schools will create inclusive settings which meet the individual learning needs of all pupils.”

Ysgol Panteg will provide 420 Welsh medium places for pupils with an additional 26 nursery places.

Blenheim Road will provide 315 English medium pupil places with an additional 26 nursery places.

Llantarnam Community Primary will provide 315 English medium pupil places with an additional 26 nursery places.

The three new school buildings are scheduled to be ready for the start of the 2016/17 school year.