Swansea Council’s Cabinet is being asked to approve the next phase of work, which would see outdated classrooms and facilities at Gowerton School replaced, alongside refurbishment and upgrades to other areas of the site. The improvements aim to deliver significantly enhanced spaces for learning, sport, recreation and wider community use.
Cabinet members are also considering funding for the detailed design and pre-construction phase, with contractors expected to work closely with pupils, staff, governors and the wider community to shape the final plans.
Separately, the Council is progressing plans for a brand new Bishop Vaughan Catholic School, to be built on the site of the former Daniel James Community School in Mynyddbach. Existing buildings on the site — including those previously occupied by YGG Tirdeunaw — would be demolished next year, with construction of the new school potentially completed within five years.
(Images: Google Maps)
The new Bishop Vaughan campus would offer state-of-the-art facilities and vocational learning opportunities for both pupils and the wider community. Pupils and staff will remain at the current site throughout the build, with no disruption to learning.
Cabinet members are also being asked to approve a land swap with the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia, alongside potential changes to lease arrangements associated with the site.
Robert Smith, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “In Swansea we are seeing record investment in our school buildings with more than £400m earmarked to create state-of-the-art facilities to give pupils the best possible support to reach their full potential.
“Many of our secondary schools have already benefitted from investment and I’m pleased that our plans for Gowerton and Bishop Vaughan are progressing, as is investment at Ysgol Gyfun Bryn Tawe. Thousands more pupils will benefit from these latest projects for many years to come.”
Both projects are part of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, and will be built to net zero operational carbon targets. Contractors will be expected to create work and apprenticeship opportunities, and source materials and services locally under the council’s Beyond Bricks and Mortar policy.
