The Council and its contractor for the major proposed investment at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda will be hosting an in-person event on January 15, as part of an ongoing consultation. The event will be held at the school itself, so the community can find out more about what is proposed.
During late 2025, the Council appointed Kier Construction as the main project contractor to provide a new 11-19 Welsh Medium secondary school on the current school site. It will cater for 900 pupils in a modern, fully-accessible and brand new development. The project will also provide suitable areas for outdoor learning and new sports facilities that will be available for school and community use. The contractor could begin the main construction phase on site in autumn 2026, subject to planning consent.
The Pre Application Consultation (PAC) period started before Christmas, enabling everyone to find out more, view key documents including site plans, and have their say on these initial proposals. The feedback will be used to help shape the proposals before a final planning application is submitted. All interested parties can take part until Friday, January 23. Further details here.
As part of this engagement exercise, the Council and Kier Construction will be hosting an in-person event at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda on Thursday, January 15. Everyone is welcome to attend, by dropping in at any time between 3.30pm and 6.30pm. No prior booking is needed.
During this session, attendees will be able to view the plans in person, and ask any questions to the project team that will be delivering this development.
Anyone that is unable to attend the event can access hard copies of the PAC documents at the school (during school opening hours), and Porth Library (during its opening hours), for the duration of the consultation period.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Inclusion and the Welsh Language, said: “The Council is now turning its attention to delivering the next tranche of school investment projects across our communities, within a £414 million funding commitment with Welsh Government for the years ahead. This important project for Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda is one of nine either being developed or delivered at this time – and the community in Cymer is now invited to find out more and have their say on initial proposals, which will inform our final planning submission.
“The proposals are to demolish the existing buildings and construct a first-class replacement school, fit for the 21st Century – and importantly, elements of the project will be available for community use. The development will also include Multi Use Games Areas, an artificial sports pitch, playgrounds and car parking. It will improve provision for Welsh Medium education, conforming to the outcomes in our Welsh in Education Strategic Plan, and contributing to Welsh Government’s ‘Cymraeg 2050’ goal for a million Welsh speakers.
“I’d urge all interested residents to take part in the ongoing PAC process – whether that’s online, in person at our event on January 15, or by viewing the plans and documents at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda or Porth Library.
“These are very exciting times as we continue our excellent partnership with Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, to deliver more school investment projects across Rhondda Cynon Taf. We’re making excellent progress on site in Clydach Vale and Glyn-coch, for projects completing this year – with the two new schools now officially named Ysgol Cambrian and Ysgol Gynradd Glyn-coch respectively. We’ve also appointed contractors for future developments at Penrhys Primary and Ysgol Llanhari.
“Our completed investment projects since 2014, combined with the committed level of funding up to 2033, now totals almost £1 billion. This is a staggering investment for our young people over the cumulative 20-period.”
Posted on 08/01/2026