Council Leader says primary school needs urgent replacement

THE children of Gorseinon are in urgent need of a 21 century school to replace three ageing buildings where youngsters are currently located.

Council Leader Rob Stewart said it was time to act to develop a new school for the community to replace buildings that are no longer fit for purpose after he was invited on a tour of Gorseinon Primary School’s infant section in High Street, Gorseinon.

Cllr Stewart was invited to the school by head teacher Glenda Gibbon who showed him how parts of the building were being propped up by wooden buttresses, damp was getting into the building and there was no green space outside for children to play and learn.

He said: “I am very impressed by the enormous effort that Glenda and her staff put in to ensure children make the most of their education at the school. But it’s clear the council have a duty to replace these worn out buildings with facilities fit for the 21 century as soon as we can.

“From speaking to the head teacher I’m very well aware how keen they are to see their school united on one site for the first time. They’ve been given a tremendous lift through seeing the new draft designs for the new school.

“But what’s important is that we can turn this chance into a reality for the children of Gorseinon for generations to come.”

The infant section of Gorseinon Primary School is located on the town’s busy High Street and is a Victorian-era building. Apart from problems with the fabric of the building, there is no green space on site and pupils have to be escorted to their sister junior school more than half a mile away for sports and outdoor lessons.

Jen Raynor, Cabinet Member for Education, who was also invited to take the tour, said it was important to seize the opportunity to create a new Gorseinon Primary School at Parc y Werin.

She said: “We have a window of opportunity the children of Gorseinon can’t afford for us to miss. The school will cost £6m and it includes a package of improvements for Parc y Werin as well. But the way the Welsh Government funding system works means it’s unlikely we’ll be able to make the project happen if work doesn’t begin this financial year.

“It might be years before we get another chance and that simply wouldn’t be fair to the children of Gorseinon now or for the generations to come. They shouldn’t have to wait any longer than is absolutely necessary for a school the community richly deserves.”

Cllr Raynor said: “We’ve explored a range of available options for a site for the school and the case for Parc y Werin right in the heart of the community and the existing school’s catchment area is compelling. We conducted an in-depth public engagement in February and March this year and there was strong support for the proposals the council put forward.”

To find out more about the Gorseinon Primary School story go to www.swansea.gov.uk/gorseinonprimaryproject