Green light for 5 brand new primary schools in Powys

The money has been made available as part of the £1.4bn 21st Century Schools and Education Programme, a unique collaboration between the Welsh Government and Local Authorities with the aim of creating a generation of 21st Century Schools in Wales.

Powys County Council have been awarded £11.8 million against a total project cost of £23.8 million. This will now enable the construction phase to begin on the following projects:

• Hay-on-Wye Community Primary School
  A new 210 place community primary school will replace the existing school which currently has 161 pupils in reception to year 6.The  school will include facilities for early years provision, as well as youth /community facilities and a public library.  This will address growing pupil numbers resulting from several new future housing developments proposed for Hay-on-Wye.
• Clyro Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School
  The 120 place Church-in-Wales school in Clyro will replace the existing school which currently has 85 pupils.  This school will also include facilities for early years provision. The new school will meet the projected demand for Church in Wales school places in the North of the catchment area.
• Bronllys/Talgarth Community Primary School
  The 150 place community primary school built on a greenfield site in Talgarth will replace two existing schools – Talgarth community primary school which has 56 pupils and Bronllys community primary school which has 32 pupils. It too will have early years, youth and community facilities.  It will address growing pupil numbers in the wider Talgarth area which will see a number of new housing developments over the coming years.
• Llangors Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School.
  A new 150 place Church-in-Wales school in Llangors will replace the existing school which currently has capacity for 146 pupils. The new school will include accommodation for early years’ pupils and will meet the need for Church in Wales school places in the south of the catchment area.
• Archdeacon Griffiths Church in Wales Voluntary Aided School, Llyswen
  A new 150 place Church-in-Wales school will replace the current school which holds 129 pupils. It will meet the need for Church in Wales school places in the West of the catchment area.  This school will also have early years facilities.

Minister for Lifelong Learning Alun Davies said:

"Securing capital investment in these difficult economic times is essential not only for better education outcomes but for the continued support of our construction industry and the growth of our economy.

"This is great news for local people and for the future of education on the area.”

Powys’ Cabinet Member for Schools, Councillor Arwel Jones said:

“We are delighted that our ambitious plans for five new primary schools in the Gwernyfed catchment area have received final approval from the Welsh Government and that construction work can get underway as soon as possible.

“Between them the schools will provide state-of the-art teaching accommodation for young learners demonstrating the council’s commitment to education in Powys.”