Work has officially started on the new 1,463 place 11-18 secondary school and autism centre for 30 learners at Pembroke Learning Campus.
Pembrokeshire County Council Leader, Jamie Adams, performed the official turf cutting at the site.
He was accompanied by Chris Stevens from contractor Bouygues UK and Iwan Davies of property and construction consultancy Gleeds, together with representatives from the school including pupils.
Councillor Adams said: “This is a flagship scheme and – as part of the 21st Century Schools programme – the largest school project undertaken to date by this Council.
“It will create a learning environment designed to improve the delivery of education in the 21st Century and will address some of the accommodation issues on the Pembroke site.”
Mr Stevens, managing director of Bouygues UK’s Central, West and Wales region, said: “We are delighted that work has begun on creating this modern, vibrant learning environment that will inspire generations of local children for years to come.”
Project manager for Gleeds, Mr Davies, added: “It’s great to see construction beginning on Pembroke Learning Campus.
“This is a unique project and we’re working very closely with the wider project team to ensure that collaboratively, we create an inspirational and versatile learning campus that best suits the needs of the local community.”
The ceremony was also witnessed by the chair of the governing body, Brian Pratt; headteacher Frank Ciccotti; teacher Rachel Edwards and construction director, Justin Moore.
Also present were pupils Lewys and Ethan Kettle, Joseph Wiggins, Ben James and Chelsea Smythe.
The school is due to move to the new building in September, 2018, when work will commence to demolish the old school and form the new external areas
All work is scheduled for completion by May, 2019.
The scheme is part of a significant programme of investment being planned by the County Council as part of its £149 million 21st Century Schools Capital Programme.
The Council underwent a rigorous five point business case process in order to gain approval for 50 per cent match-funding from the Welsh Government.
Caption
Participants pictured at the turf cutting ceremony at the Pembroke site.
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