21st Century School for Briton Ferry

Match funding for a new £8m English medium school in Briton Ferry has been given the green light by Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kirsty Williams.

The Welsh Government has awarded Neath Port Talbot Local Authority match funding of up to £3.3 million against a total project cost of £7.6 million.

The new build 420 place English medium 3-11 school will replace Brynhyfryd, Llansawel and Ynysmaerdy primary schools. The new site will also house 75 part-time nursery pupils.

Funding has been allocated as part of the 21st Century Schools and Education Programme, a unique collaboration between the Welsh Government, the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and local authorities with the aim of creating a generation of 21st century schools in Wales.

The programme focuses resources on the right schools in the right places, for early years through to post-16.

Work will begin in February 2017, with an expected completion date of June 2018.

Kirsty Williams said:

“I’m keen to see the 21st Century Schools Programme continue at pace. A new, modern, state-of-the-art facility in Briton Ferry will represent a new chapter for the community’s children, families and their future.

“However, we know there is still work to be done across Wales to ensure that all pupils and teachers are able to flourish whilst working in up-to-date, modern buildings.”