New school moves a step forward

Plans are moving forward for a new multi-million pound school for Gorslas.

Following public consultation, executive board members have agreed to support and publish a statutory notice to increase the capacity of Gorslas Primary School from 110 to 210 to accommodate demand for Welsh medium education places.

The proposal which includes an additional 30 spaces for an external nursery would be implemented when the new school building is ready in 2019.

The current Gorslas site and school buildings do not meet Carmarthenshire’s standards in terms of the facilities they offer and the teaching and resource areas required. Neither do they meet the standards for environmental efficiency and sustainability.

The major investment would be part of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Modernising Education Programme (MEP), jointly funded by the council and the Welsh Government, through its 21st Century Schools and Education Programme.

Speaking at the meeting the council’s executive board member for education, Cllr Glynog Davies said: “Gorslas is a Welsh medium school, almost a century old, and has seen better days. Currently the building itself does not meet the needs of the children and does not address the demand for Welsh places.”

After the meeting Cllr Davies said: “The new school wold provide the kind of high quality learning environment which will meet the needs of both pupils and teachers, in delivering the school’s vision and enhancing outcomes across a wide range of subject areas and skills.”

People will have until April 1 to give their views in writing to Gareth Morgans, Director of Education, Building 2, St David’s Park, Job’s well Road, Carmarthen, SA31 3HB or email DECMEP@carmarthenshire.gov.uk