Work starts on new site of primary school

HOWARDIAN Primary School in Penylan, Cardiff played host to a turf cutting ceremony this week, celebrating the start of construction on the school’s new purpose-built home.

Headteacher Dr Helen Hoyle welcomed Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council and Cabinet Member responsible for Education Cllr Sarah Merry, local politicians, governors, Cardiff Council officers and staff from Morgan Sindall, the company building the school, to join some of the pupils to cut the ceremonial piece of earth.

The £6.6m project, jointly funded by Cardiff Council and Welsh Government through the 21st Century Schools programme, will provide a new home for the school when it moves from its temporary location in existing buildings next to the site.

Due for completion next summer, the new 2,500 square metre, two storey building will accommodate up to 420 pupils, in two classes per year, from reception to Year six as well as offering 48 nursery places.

The school has been designed to include community facilities that include a dedicated community room and a main and smaller hall that could be available outside of school hours. A multi-use games area is also included in the design.

Cllr Merry said: “It was a pleasure to be invited to the turf cutting ceremony at Howardian primary.

“As well giving me the chance to join the school in celebrating a major milestone in the project, I was also able to feel the genuine excitement from the children and the staff as they look forward to Howardian primary moving into a brand-new, purpose-built home next year.

“Our Capital Ambition clearly sets out the council’s priorities for education in the city, including our commitment to invest in improving and expanding our schools.

“This exciting project at Howardian primary forms part of our £164m 21st Century Programme to deliver on that commitment.

“Through this current round of investment we have built new schools are we are continuing to build new schools – including two new secondary schools and five new primary schools, as well as funding the growth of existing schools.”

Dr Helen Hoyle, the new Howardian Primary School head teacher, said “This is such an exciting moment for Howardian Primary.

“Ever since the school opened in 2015, under the leadership of Colin Skinner and Rachell Smith, everyone involved with the school has been looking forward to moving into our brand-new home.

“The excitement builds with every milestone we reach, and this is a significant moment in the school’s journey towards reaching that moment when we are handed the keys for our purpose built school. The children, parents, staff and the governing body are thrilled that work has begun.

“There is a real sense of community spirit here at Howardian Primary, and we are all looking forward to continuing to work together to make the new school a great success.”