Pupils and staff at Maesgwyn Special School in Cwmdare are now enjoying new facilities and modern spaces each day, after a £1.5 million building extension was completed at their school over the summer holiday.
The investment was funded by Council capital funding, along with support from the Welsh Government’s Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Capital Grant. It has delivered three first-class classrooms that provide a bright and colourful learning environment, a dedicated sensory room, and a new outdoor space.
Contractor GKR Maintenance and Building Company Ltd completed the extension in time for the 2025/26 academic year, which started in September. This investment complements a new 3G play area which has recently been developed for the school by contractor South Wales Sports Grounds.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said: “I’m delighted this £1.5 million Council and Welsh Government investment is now complete, delivering a modern extension to Maesgwyn Special School with new flexible spaces that create a stimulating learning environment. The project has also included a specialist sensory room and a new outdoor space, helping pupils to thrive.
“Investing in our ALN schools remains a priority for the Council, and I recently visited the construction site for the impressive 3-19 school in Clydach Vale – a major development that will establish our fifth ALN school, during 2026. A new Early Years setting for ALN pupils has recently been established in Tonyrefail, while there’s also a planned development at Buarth y Capel in Ynysybwl.
“It’s fantastic to hear that pupils and staff are now enjoying their new facilities at Maesgwyn Special School, and I wish them very well for the new school term. I’d also like to thank everyone who was involved in helping to deliver the development on time this summer, including our appointed contractor.”
Maesgwyn Special School is a school in the Cynon Valley for children aged 11-19, who have complex learning difficulties. These include Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), moderate to severe learning difficulties, physical difficulties and Behaviour, Emotional & Social difficulties (BESD).
Posted on 16/09/2025