Work is underway on the redevelopment of Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera School site.

Dawnus Construction has been appointed as the contractor for the £12.5m first phase of the development.

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 and addresses issues around significant repair and maintenance costs and surplus capacity.

The current work involves the demolition of some buildings to make way for a new teaching block comprising class rooms, specialist design technology rooms and science labs.

A further phase of works is due to commence early 2017 which will see around £5m invested in the re-modelling of some remaining teaching areas.

Secondary aged pupils will move into their new building from December 2016 and the re-modelled teaching blocks from the summer of 2018. Primary aged pupils are likely to occupy their new accommodation by September 2018.

Improving schools and raising levels of educational achievement for children in Neath Port Talbot is a priority for the Council. At the heart of its Strategic School Improvement Programme is the desire to deliver the best possible education for children and to maximise the resources available to the Council.

The redevelopment of the Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera campus is one of seven major projects being delivered through Neath Port Talbot’s Schools Improvement Programme and the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools Programme between 2014 and 2019.

The Programme will see a multi-million pound investment in Neath Port Talbot schools of which 50% will be grant funded by the Welsh Government.

Councillor Ali Thomas OBE, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council said: “Despite the budget pressures we face, the investment in this and many other schools in the county borough demonstrates our commitment to education and providing the best possible opportunities for our young people.

Through our strategic schools improvement programme, ‘Better Schools Brighter Prospects’, 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 that they are fit for 21st Century learners.”