Plans for new £7.9m school ‘well received’
PLANS to close two Cynon Valley primary schools to pave way for a state-of-the-art £7.9m building have been “well received” according to the council, ahead of an important meeting next week.
The new 200-pupil school for three to 11-year-olds in Cwmaman – built on council-owned land at Glanaman Road where the Fforchaman Colliery once stood – would see the closure of Cwmaman Infants’ School and Glynhafod Junior School in August 2018.
Rhondda Cynon Taf council’s cabinet members will next week consider a report updating them on proposals for the new through school, with an update on the statutory notices necessary to progress the move, which was first announced earlier this year.
Councillor Eudine Hanagan, RCT cabinet member for education and lifelong learning, said: “Our proposal for a 21st Century school for Cwmaman is the latest as part of our ambitious plans to raise the standards of our educational facilities across the coun- ty borough.
“In Cynon Valley we have already delivered a number of outstanding new schools such as the £50m Aberdare Community School, Cwmbach Primary School, Ynysboeth Primary School, Cwmbach Primary School and Abercynon Community Primary School.
“The proposals for a new community primary school were well received during the initial consultation phase and the fact that no formal objections have been received to the statutory notices, which cabinet will consider next week, in my opinion add further strength to the proposals.
“This is an excellent opportunity for Cwmaman to have a purpose built, all through, 21st Century school in the village to replace the old Victorian buildings of Cwmaman Infants’ and Glynhafod Juniors, which will also make it easier for parents whose children currently attend the two schools located approximately half a mile apart.”
Cynon Valley AM Vikki Howells added: “I welcome progress on the new college and primary school for Cwmaman.
“As a former teacher I know how much of an impact modern educational facilities can have on pupils’ learning.
“The children of Cwmaman deserve the very best facilities, and I am confident that this new school will deliver just that.”