Swansea Valley pupils left to wait for new schools
PRIMARY pupils in the upper Swansea Valley have a later start than most next month — as they prepare to head into three brand new schools.
But those in Welsh-medium education face an even longer wait for their new surroundings, as their building will not be ready until the new year.
The four new schools replace ten former primaries which were closed at the end of last term, as Powys Council looked to address falling rolls with a £37 million shake-up of their primary education in Ystradgynlais.
Pupils heading to the three new English-medium schools — Ysgol Bro Tawe, Ysgol Golwg y Cwm, and Ysgol y Cribarth — are due to begin on September 10, a week later than other pupils across the county, to allow teachers and other staff to transfer and establish themselves to the new facilities.
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But those in Welsh-medium Ysgol Gymraeg Dyffryn y Glowyr will have to wait until mid-January before they move into their permanent new home, as work on those is ongoing. Until then they will operate from two of the former schools they replace, Ynysgedwyn and Cwmtwrch, and return on September 3.
Powys Council cabinet member for learing and leisure Myfanwy Alexander, said: "Most of all the developments in Ystradgynlais are very exciting for the young people who will be able to learn in modern, appropriate surroundings."
Maesydderwen School has also undergone improvements.
Geraint Evans, vice-chairman of South Powys Governors Association, said the investment in schools was welcome and long overdue.
But it was unfortunate the Welsh- medium school had not been delivered on time, he said, and added: "The project is over budget and facilities promised during consultation have been cut. The refurbishment of leisure facilities at Maesydderwen did not include a much-needed replacement swimming pool when £1.3 million has been spent providing a new clubhouse and pitch for Cwm Wanderers AFC, to vacate the home of the new Welsh- medium scho ol."
nino.williams@swwmedia.co.uk
01792 514624
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