Minister opens £11.5m new Welsh medium school

An £11.5m new home for a Welsh medium school is now providing fantastic opportunities for more than 500 pupils.

Education Minister Jeremy Miles this week officially opened Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tirdeunaw and heard about the difference it is already making.

The project was jointly funded by Swansea Council and the Welsh Government under the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme and is part of a £170m investment in new and improved school facilities in Swansea.

Swansea Council Rob Stewart, who welcomed Mr Miles to the school, said: “I’m so proud to have this opportunity to show the minister around the school so he can see how the record investment we are jointly making is changing the lives of pupils and staff.

“This is another fantastic new build that will transform education for many thousands of young people in the years to come.

“In the last two years alone we have opened new schools for Gorseinon, Tan-y-lan, Maes Derw and now Tirdeanaw, while a £7m improvement programme at Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr has been completed and work is progressing well on the £13m revamp of Bishopston Comprehensive.

“Further work is planned as we are determined to give pupils across Swansea the very best facilities and surroundings so they can reach their full potential.”

Jeremy Miles, Minister for Education and Welsh Language, said: “I am delighted to have officially opened Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tirdeunaw this week, which has received 65% funding through the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.

“It’s brilliant to see this sustainable construction completed and ready to offer excellent opportunities for learners and the community.

“The school is already making a huge difference, with high quality facilities to nurture and encourage Welsh-medium learners, and support their wellbeing.

“I look forward to seeing the outstanding work that will be done here.”

Previously YGG Tirdeunaw had been based next to the former Daniel James secondary school site at Heol Ddu but the old buildings were no longer suitable.

The new build, which is less than a mile from the current site and is also more central to the majority of current pupils attending, provides places for 525 full-time pupils and 75 nursery places along with a Flying Start/Dechrau Deg’ initiative.

Contractors Morgan Sindall worked safely during the pandemic to deliver the school which was designed by architects Powell Dobson.

Headteacher Jackie James said: “It has been wonderful to be able to open this school for our learners and the community.

“Pupils and staff are overjoyed with their new state-of-the-art school which provides us with excellent facilities and a creative space to inspire and motivate learners.

“The design layout and facilities are already helping us to provide fantastic opportunities for the wellbeing and learning of our pupils as well as supporting the delivery of the new curriculum.”

(Lead image: Swansea Council)