First steps for valley’s new 630-pupil school

THE first steps towards a new primary school for the Swansea Valley are being taken by Neath Port Talbot Council.

A report asking for approval to consult with Swansea Valley school communities on a proposal to establish a new English-medium 3-11 school will be considered by councillors at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

The proposal also includes the addition of a new swimming pool with additional learner pool to complement the current health and wellbeing offer for pupils and the wider community.

The new school will be funded jointly by the council through its Strategic School Improvement Programme and the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools and Education Capital Programme which is modernising schools across Wales.

So far, the joint programme has seen more than £123 million invested in modern Neath Port Talbot schools, the biggest investment in education in Wales outside of Cardiff.

It is proposed the new Swansea Valley primary school will be built on land at Parc Ynysderw, Pontardawe.

It will form part of a learning, health and wellbeing community campus which includes Cwmtawe Community School and Pontardawe Leisure Centre.

The new primary school would replace Alltwen, Godre’rgraig and Llangiwg primary schools.

The proposed new English-medium primary school for boys and girls aged 3-11 will accommodate 630 full-time pupils and 140 part-time nursery age pupils.

It would also accommodate a learning support centre (LSC) for primary age pupils with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).

Inclusion of a swimming pool at the site will further enhance the physical activity and wellbeing opportunities for pupils who currently attend Alltwen, Godre’rgraig and Llangiwg primary schools, as well as those at Cwmtawe Community School, which is also closely located to the newbuild site, and pupils of other nearby schools including YGG Trebannws and YGG Pontardawe.

Subject to approval, it is intended to consult on this proposal between

November 3 and January 5, 2021.

If you would like to watch Neath Port Talbot Council’s virtual joint education, skills and culture and cabinet scrutiny committee on Wednesday, which will discuss the proposal and forthcoming consultation exercise, email democratic.services@npt.gov.uk by no later than noon tomorrow, with your name and email address for arrangements to be made for you to join the meeting via Teams.