Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme aims to transform the learning experience of pupils, ensuring they are taught in classrooms with the technologies and facilities needed to deliver a 21st Century curriculum. These projects have been match funded by 21st Century Schools funding from Welsh Government.
A £1.9m investment has seen internal and external improvements to the school’s junior section, including extensive remodelling and refurbishment to deliver improvements to the late Victorian-era and 1960s buildings, while the Multi Use Games Area was upgraded. While the main works were completed in 2018/19, the scheme is still underway - and will deliver the demolition of an existing canteen block.
Ferndale Community School
The school has benefited from two new ICT suites, while a new Design and Technology Room was provided. An existing Science laboratory was refurbished, while an additional classroom was created. Classrooms within the main building were converted to Additional Learning Needs rooms, while the school’s toilet areas were improved and a 3G sports pitch provided. The works were completed in 2018/19, however pool refurbishment and external resurfacing is ongoing.
A £44m investment provided state-of-the-art education facilities, as Tonyrefail Comprehensive and Tonyrefail Primary became a 3-19 school. New 21st Century primary and secondary buildings were built while the existing Grade-II Listed Victorian building was sympathetically remodelled. A new Flying Start and pre/after school club facility, was also developed. All new school buildings were completed by Spring 2019, and demolition of old buildings and provision of a car park and playing fields is ongoing.
Treorchy Comprehensive was redeveloped with new sixth form facilities delivered alongside a brand new three-storey science block. The school also benefits from new Multi Use Games Areas, while sixth form pupils are enjoying refurbished classrooms and seminar rooms, a new coffee shop and dining facilities. These works were completed in 2018/19, and the project now continues with the refurbishment of a teaching block to create a new music department and general classrooms.
The 3-11 school will benefit from a £10.2m investment - which will include state-of-the-art facilities, two Multi Use Games Areas, an early years Flying Start facility, staff car parking, an ecological habitat area, a grass sports pitch and external spaces. The project is due for completion in 2021. These facilities will replace the current school buildings at Glanant Street, for 3-11 year-olds.
YGG Aberdâr
Due to the growth of Welsh Medium education locally, this school in Cwmdare will receive an extension consisting of four classrooms and a purpose-built childcare setting. This will allow more children to attend YGG Aberdâr and meet the demand for Welsh Medium pupil places. This project is due for completion in 2022.
YG Rhydywaun
The Welsh medium secondary school in Penywaun will benefit from an additional teaching block on the school site, to accommodate the growing number of pupils at the school and allow for the removal of the current temporary classrooms. A new sports hall will also be built along with additional community facilities. This project is due for completion in 2022.