New £4.3m school for children and staff at Ysgol Rhys Prichard in Llandovery

CHILDREN and staff at Ysgol Rhys Prichard have moved into their new £4.3million school – and they couldn’t be happier.

The primary school has relocated to the former Ysgol Pantycelyn secondary school site increasing its capacity to 240 pupil places with provision for an external Cylch Meithrin integrated into the new school building.

As well as providing bright and airy accommodation and state-of-the-art facilities, it also includes a large hall which can be shared with the community of Llandovery, a rugby pitch, multi-use games area and hard and soft play areas.

Headteacher Edward Davies said: ” Moving to a newly modernised site, will provide a welcome boost that will enable the teachers to deliver an even higher standard of support to pupils. As well as providing fantastic outdoor space, the building also has a range of indoor facilities, including a modern science and technology room, which will help deliver the areas of learning of the new curriculum.

“We are very much looking forward to welcoming all pupils back to school and continuing with the strong links to the local community. A bright new future awaits us all.”

The project has been delivered as part of the Carmarthenshire County Council’s Modernising Education Programme and is jointly funded by Welsh Government through its 21st Century Schools initiative.

A further £350k community hub capital grant was secured from Welsh Government to provide the leisure facility which was integrated into the new school building.

The building was designed by the council’s own architects and the works were carried out by local contractors Lloyd & Gravell Ltd.

To date, around £295million has been invested in accommodation and facilities at schools across Carmarthenshire, including building 14 new schools and 47 major refurbishments and extensions.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board Member for Education and Children’s Services Cllr Glynog Davies said: “I am delighted that pupils and staff have moved into their new school which I am sure will inspire and improve their overall learning experience.

“This project offered a unique opportunity to utilise and recycle a redundant secondary school site to significantly improve primary school provision within the area, with improved facilities to share with the local community making the school a community hub for the town of Llandovery.”