The newly-formed 3-16 school for the community in Hawthorn welcomed learners for the first time in September 2024. The modern development was one of four major school projects delivered in the 2024/25 academic year, within a £79.9m investment in Education across Greater Pontypridd.
The development was built on the former Hawthorn Primary and High School site, and has opened its doors to all pupils from both schools – as well as the English Medium stream of Heol y Celyn Primary. The new 3-16 through school has a capacity of 1,260 learners (including nursery pupils).
Three brand new schools ready to open across Greater Pontypridd (September 2024)
The development has provided a brand new 28-classroom teaching block for Key Stages 2-4, which is securely linked to the existing primary building. The new block has been designed to achieve Net Zero carbon in operation, and complements the external facilities that were delivered in 2023 during an initial phase of work. This included creating a new staff car park, a coach car park and a pupil drop-off area.
Existing facilities have been refurbished – including modernising classrooms, upgrading pupil toilets, and improving staff areas, while improvements to external areas and outdoor learning canopies were installed for the primary school.
New outdoor areas complete major Hawthorn school investment (May 2025)
The final phase of work, focusing on external areas of the site, was completed during the 2025 Easter school holiday. It demolished two old teaching blocks and delivered a second Multi Use Games Area, an outdoor classroom, additional on-site car parking, and extensive landscaping of the wider site. The existing astroturf sports pitch that the school uses was also resurfaced.
In addition, a new childcare facility offering Flying Start and Childcare Offer places successfully opened at the school in January 2025, using Welsh Government funding.
Blossom Early Years caters for children aged 2-5 years-old, and offers both Flying Start funded places for children aged 2-3 years, and Childcare Offer funded places for nursery aged children. The setting benefits from a fully-equipped main playroom, food preparation kitchen, children’s cloakroom, dedicated nursery age toilets and changing area, and a secure outdoor play space.
Major £1m Welsh Government funding, via Community Focused Schools, has also been secured to refurbish an on-site youth centre, for completion in 2025.
Main school building, completion images – September 2024
External areas, completion images – April 2025