Pupils have say in design as school is refurbished
PUPILS at a secondary school which will undergo a £13.8 million overhaul have had a say in its design.
Half the pupils at Bishopston Comprehensive School who answered a questionnaire didn’t think the current buildings were light and airy enough, and nearly everyone disliked the toilets.
The Gower school has just over 1,100 pupils aged 11 to 16, and 71 staff.
A new two-storey extension is to be built while other buildings are refurbished and remodelled.
Swansea cabinet approved the awarding of the contract to Kier Western Ltd at a remote meeting, subject to Welsh Government confirmation.
Cllr Jennifer Raynor, cabinet member for education improvement, learning and skills, said the £13.8 million cost was slightly more than anticipated due to extra legal costs and fees.
“We lost a contractor last year, and reappointed one,” she said.
“We are still on schedule to open the school in September 2022.”
Cllr Raynor said there was a “degree of urgency” as the current building arrangements needed to be altered to allow contractors on site.
She added: “Pupils have contributed to the design and layout of the school.”
The Welsh Government will fund 65% of the costs; the council 35%.
It is part of a £149.5 million jointly funded school rebuild scheme across Swansea in the coming years.
Council leader Rob Stewart said of the 21st Century Schools initiative: “This is the biggest capital project we have undertaken with schools.”