Welsh Government has confirmed its funding contribution towards brand new school buildings for Pontyclun Primary, Llanilltud Faerdref Primary, and Penygawsi Primary – allowing work to start at each site in the coming weeks.

The exciting projects will deliver state-of-the-art facilities for the schools in Pontyclun, Church Village and Llantrisant. The schools require investment to be fully-accessible and bring their facilities up to a 21^st Century standard. The projects secured planning permission in March 2022 following separate public consultations on the plans.

Last year, Cabinet agreed to the Council’s submission of a business case to Welsh Government, to secure Mutual Investment Model (MIM) funding for the projects. This is the revenue funding element of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, enabling investment of up to £500m across Wales.

The Council has recently received confirmation of the funding approval from Welsh Government, and the MIM contract for the three projects was formally signed on Thursday, December 1. The Council has entered into a 25-year contract for the design, build, funding and building maintenance of the three schools. The contract is with Project Co, a subsidiary of the Welsh Education Partnership Company set up by the Welsh Government to deliver projects under the MIM funding stream of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.

Following the signing of the contract, construction work will shortly begin at each school site – in December 2022 at Pontyclun Primary, and in January 2023 at Llanilltud Faerdref Primary and Penygawsi Primary.

Welsh Government has confirmed its funding contribution towards brand new school buildings for Pontyclun Primary, Llanilltud Faerdref Primary, and Penygawsi Primary – allowing work to start at each site in the coming weeks. Full details: https://t.co/NKL8HVy1FN pic.twitter.com/i8TSQkdvMD

— RCT Council (@RCTCouncil) December 4, 2022

Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed as the contractor to construct each school, and Robertson FM will provide the ongoing facilities management thereafter. Each development will target Net Zero carbon in operation, and will benefit from state-of-the-art learning environments and much-improved outdoor spaces. Further details of each development is included below.

Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Youth Participation and the Welsh Language, said: “I’m delighted the MIM contracts have now been signed for the exciting projects at Pontyclun Primary, Llanilltud Faerdref Primary, and Penygawsi Primary. The confirmation of Welsh Government investment is greatly welcomed by the Council, and construction work will begin very soon.

“The projects will deliver first-class facilities at each school, continuing the significant recent investment via the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, and formerly the 21^st Century Schools Programme. Each school will see their current buildings – which are in a poor condition – replaced with brand new facilities and open, welcoming outdoor spaces to deliver the new curriculum. These facilities will also be available for wider community use.

“All of our new school developments conform to the Council’s Climate Change goals and commitment, aiming to achieve Net Zero carbon in operation. I’m also pleased the Council has announced Morgan Sindall’s appointment as the contractor for all three of the projects. This will continue our excellent working relationship which saw the company’s successful delivery of past projects, including new primary schools for Cwmaman and Hirwaun in recent years.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the developments progress over the weeks and months ahead, towards scheduled completion dates in 2024 and 2025.”

Below is a summary of what the investments will deliver at each school:

Pontyclun Primary School (by early 2025)

All existing buildings (including temporary classrooms) will be demolished to construct a new two-storey school building, sports and recreation facilities – including landscaping, drainage and infrastructure work. It will accommodate two rooms for nursery, two for reception, five infant classrooms, nine junior classrooms, a central ‘heart space’ area and a main hall with various supporting facilities and areas. Hard play areas will be provided externally, along with two Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAs) and other informal grass play areas. Two car park areas will support 40 spaces (10% of which will include EV charging) and extensive cycle storage will be provided. The site will also benefit from a Sustainable Urban Drainage System.

Llanilltud Faerdref Primary School (by spring 2024)

The new single-storey building will be constructed on the existing grassed playing field area on the eastern part of the site. It will comprise one nursery classroom, one reception classroom, four infant classrooms and five junior classrooms – along with a central ‘heartspace’ area and main hall with various supporting facilities and areas. Externally, there will be landscaped areas and hard and soft play areas set around the school. Two MUGAs will be built, along with a grass sports pitch (5-a-side) and a 40-metre grass sprint track. The site will benefit from a Sustainable Urban Drainage System. A total of 23 parking spaces (four of which will include EV charging) and extensive cycle storage spaces will be provided. The site will include a Sustainable Urban Drainage System.

Penygawsi Primary School (by summer 2024)

All existing buildings will be demolished to construct a new two-storey building at the north-east corner of the site. It will accommodate two nursery, one reception, three infant and six junior classrooms, along with a central ‘heartspace’ area and main hall with various supporting facilities and areas. Hard play areas will be provided externally, along with a grass sports pitch (7-a-side), two MUGAs and informal play areas at the southern end of the site. A total of 28 parking spaces (four of which will include EV charging) and extensive cycle storage will be provided. The site will include a Sustainable Urban Drainage System.