New Primary School in Ystalyfera taking shape

The steel frame has been delivered and is being constructed on the site of yet another new school building project in the county borough. Over the coming weeks, the new building will quickly take shape and people will soon be able to see how the new school will look.
This is the second phase of work in the redevelopment of the Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera campus which will see £4.2m invested in a two storey teaching block to accommodate up to 200 pupils aged 3-11, opening in September 2018.
The redevelopment of the Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera campus is part of the Council’s plans for an all-through school providing Welsh medium education for over 1,100 pupils aged 3-18 in the north of the County Borough.

It will bring together Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Y Wern, a Welsh medium primary school, and Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera, a Welsh medium secondary school on one site addressing issues around significant repair and maintenance costs and surplus capacity.

The first phase has seen the demolition of poor condition buildings to make way for a new teaching block comprising class rooms, specialist design technology rooms and science labs for secondary aged students. This new block opened in January 2017.

This work is a key part of the Council’s plans to strengthen the provision of Welsh medium education in the county borough and represents a further significant milestone in the Council’s Strategic School Improvement Programme which aims to raise school standards by enhancing the quality of the teaching and learning environment.

The investment also demonstrates the Council’s commitment to support and further develop Welsh language education in schools and in our communities.

Councillor Peter Rees, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Culture said: “I am pleased to see progress made on yet another new school project, realising the Council’s vision to give our children and young people the best possible start in life and helping them be the best they can be.
“Through our Strategic Schools Improvement Programme, and working in partnership with the Welsh Government, we are creating the best environment for teaching and learning to help us improve standards, making sure the right schools are in the right place, and they are fit for 21st Century learners”.
The projects are being funded by Neath Port Talbot Council and the Welsh Government, as part of its 21st Century Schools Programme.