Children and staff at Ysgol Pum Heol in Five Roads held a special celebration to mark the opening of their new £4.5million school.
Phase one of the project was completed earlier this year and included a new school building on land adjacent to the old school site providing state-of-the-art facilities and accommodation. It also included much needed off-road parking for staff and visitors and a drop-off area for parents.
Phase two was completed during the summer holidays following the demolition of the old school building, and provides a multi-use games area that can be shared with the community.
The new school provides 120 places for pupils aged between 4 and 11, as well as an additional 30 nursery places which is being delivered by an external provider, helping to meet the demand for Welsh language education in the area.
Carmarthenshire County Council Leader Cllr Emlyn Dole and Cabinet Member Cllr Glynog Davies were given a special tour of the school along with Chief Executive Wendy Walters and Director of Education and Children’s Services Gareth Morgans.
They were also joined by Chair of Governors and local member Cllr Jim Jones and recently retired headteacher Eira Rumble.
A plaque to mark the official opening was unveiled as part of the celebration event, which also included a special screening of a short film the pupils helped to make so that they could show-off their new school to family and friends.
The school has been unable to welcome the community in to see the new school due to the ongoing pandemic.
Cllr Dole said: “It’s great to see the children and staff in the new building and the resources available to them. The aim of our Modernising Education Programme is to make sure that this is available across the county to everyone.”
The project was delivered as part of the council’s Modernising Education Programme and is jointly funded by Welsh Government through its 21st Century Schools initiative.
The building was designed by the council’s own architects and the works were carried out by local builders TRJ Ltd.
Cllr Davies said: “Education has changed dramatically, and technology is moving on at a very, very fast pace. Ysgol Pum Heol has the very latest and it is important that they make the most of it. We want to give our pupils the very best education to prepare them for their future careers and hopefully to stay and work in Carmarthenshire.”
Cllr Jones added: “I’m very proud of the school, the community is part of the school, and the school is part of the community. I’m looking forward to the day that the community can finally see the inside of the school and actively take part in school life again.”
Acting headteacher Rhian Francis said: “We are thrilled to have a new, fit for purpose building, which will allow our successful school to flourish. The school is the heart of the village, and the pupils, governors, parents, staff, and community are very proud of the new school.”
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