Councillor Rhys Lewis, Cabinet Member for Education, Inclusion and the Welsh Language, visited the new Welsh Medium primary school in Rhydyfelin on Wednesday 2 July alongside First Minister Eluned Morgan MS and Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Maureen Webber BEM. The state-of-the-art school with modern facilities welcomed staff and pupils for the first time in September 2024 and was delivered as part of a £79.9m investment in Education across the Greater Pontypridd area.
The school welcomed guests from the Council, Welsh Government and building contractors with songs, presentations and pupil performances to celebrate the formal opening and recognise the hard work that went into creating the school.
Working on delivering quality Welsh medium schools is integral to achieving the goals set out in the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP), so all children and young people have equitable access to good Welsh medium and Welsh language education.
In September 2024, the new school opened to pupils from the Welsh Medium stream of the former Heol y Celyn Primary School, as well as all pupils that attended Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pont Sion Norton.
Focusing on external areas of the site, two old teaching blocks were demolished and a second Multi Use Games Area, an outdoor classroom, additional on-site car parking, and extensive landscaping of the wider site was delivered.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Inclusion and the Welsh Language, said: “As we open another brand-new school, I’d like to thank all the staff, pupils, contractors and Welsh Government for making this possible. The school looks fantastic and it’s wonderful to see the staff and pupils enjoying the space.
“Awel Taf allows us to showcase the latest significant investment in Welsh medium education across RCT as part of the Council’s ambitious Welsh in Education Strategic Plan’.
“Like all of our new school developments, we’ve aimed to achieve Net Zero carbon in operation as part of our Climate Change goals and commitments.
“I’m extremely pleased that we prioritise investment in our schools, to give our youngest residents the best facilities to learn and grow.
“The project has been jointly delivered by the Council and Welsh Government as part of the sustainable Communities for Learning Programme – investing in our schools and establishing local hubs for the future.”
Posted on 09/07/2025