School readies itself for £10m refurbishment
A SWANSEA secondary school is preparing for work to kick off on a £10 million revamp next month.
Pupils in Cefn Hengoed in Winch Wen are now settled in the smaller of the school's two teaching blocks ahead of the revamp.
The transformation of the larger block will then start in October, thanks to £8 million in funding from the Assembly and £2 million from Swansea Council.
Cefn Hengoed head teacher Sue Hollister said: "After a great deal of planning, reorganising, moving and working together, our school will be based in one of our two buildings from the start of the new term.
"This has given the school a real facelift, which will enable pupils to continue to receive a first-class education while our major refurbishment takes place.
"The advice of Swansea Council's Project Team has been invaluable and we are indebted to them and to the tremendous flexibility and support from our staff, pupils and their families. The new refurbishment is just what our community needs to build on the confidence and fantastic community spirit here."
Council officers, workers for construction firm Carillion and Cefn Hengoed school staff have spent the summer break ensuring that the transition into one interim block was a smooth one for pupils.
Prep work has been taking place to remodel one of the school blocks to provide a temporary home for pupils and staff since October 2009.
It meant work on a total revamp of the main block of the school could start with minimal disruption to pupils' learning.
The Cefn Hengoed project is set to be completed by mid-2012 and will see the creation of modern, fit-forpurpose classrooms, flexible learning areas and innovative ICT facilities.
Swansea Council's cabinet member for education, Mike Day, said: "This project will not only see the creation of a landmark learning environment, but will also form a community hub as some funding has been earmarked for the improvement of the community facilities.
"Through the QEd 2020 programme, we are committed to raising educational standards and improving learning environments."
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