03/28/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

Over £40m school investment proposals across Caerphilly

A PACKAGE of major investment proposals that will help transform schools across the Caerphilly county borough could get the green light this week.

The council’s Cabinet will meet on Wednesday (April 7) to consider a number of key reports that set out ambitious proposals for the next phase of the authority’s multi-million pound 21st Century Schools programme.

First up on the list for consideration are major plans to completely transform the future of two key school sites under Band B of the 21 Century Schools proposals:

Trinity Fields Special School – £12.5 million expansion of the existing school and resource centre, including a new building extension and outdoor play space. The investment would provide additional capacity at this flagship school for pupils with significant needs.

Ysgol Gymraeg Cwm Gwyddon – £9.6million relocation of the current school to a new purpose-built Welsh-medium provision facility to be situated on the vacant site of the former Cwmcarn High School.

The Leader of Council, Cllr Philippa Marsden said:

“These proposals are the latest phase of our hugely successful 21st Century Schools programme, which has already delivered fantastic developments totalling £56.5million. These include Islwyn High School, Ysgol Y Gwyndy and Idris Davies School.

“We have a proven track record of delivering outstanding 21st Century School projects and I look forward to considering these new proposals that could bring many benefits for our pupils in future and forms a key part of our exciting Place Shaping strategy.”

Cabinet will also be asked to agree to progress the next phase of the Band B programme. There are 3 projects that have been identified as part of Phase 2 and these are:

£5.5m Centre for Vulnerable Learners – A proposal to adapt and refurbish an old grammar school building (former Pontllanfraith High School), to accommodate a new fit-for-purpose centre for vulnerable learners across the area.

£4m Llancaeach Junior School and Llanfabon Infants School – A proposal to amalgamate both schools via the expansion and refurbishment of the existing Llanfabon Infants site. The new Primary School could offer places for 275 pupils plus nursery.

£9m Plasyfelin Primary School – The proposal is to build a new and enlarged replacement school on the grounds of the existing school site, to accommodate future projected demand within the area. The new school could provide 420 pupil places plus nursery.

Cllr Ross Whiting, Cabinet Member for Education said:

“We have bold ambitions to provide every learner with the best life chances and we are committed to doing this through the provision of high-quality teaching, learning and leadership across our school settings.”

The 21st Century Schools programme is a major, long-term, strategic capital investment programme jointly funded by the Welsh Government. The programme also contributes to the Council’s Wellbeing and Place Shaping Framework of investment across Caerphilly county borough.

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