Vale of Glamorgan Council pledges £4 million towards new building for St David’s Church in Wales School
St David’s Church in Wales School in Colwinston is set for expansion and a brand new building after £4 million plans were agreed by the Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet on Monday.
The proposals will see the school grow to cater for 210 rather than the current 140 pupils and a new building constructed on the current site.
This will meet demand for primary school places created by a number of large scale housing developments planned for the Vale.
The work is to be carried out as part of the 21st Century Schools programme, a unique collaboration between Welsh Government and the Local Authority that has already seen £31 million committed to six projects under the first phase of the project, known as Band A.
A hefty £144 million will be spent during Band B as this major commitment to transforming nursery, primary, secondary, faith and special education across the County continues.
Cllr Bob Penrose, Vale of Glamorgan Council cabinet Member for Learning and Culture, said: “We are committed to ensuring children throughout the Vale are given the best chance to succeed. That is the ambition behind our 21st Century Schools Programme, which represents a major commitment to improve educational facilities.
“St David’s Church in Wales School is the latest in a long list in line for upgrading work. It will gain a quality modern building that can support the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum and also cater for an anticipated increase in pupil numbers.
“This and other projects like it can make a real difference to thousands of Vale children, helping them towards bright fulfilling futures.”
News about St David’s comes swiftly after it was revealed Pencoedtre High School and St Nicholas Church in Wales School are to undergo total rebuilds instead of redevelopment.
That is because an increase in the contribution from Welsh Government means the Council is now paying a lower percentage towards 21st Century Schools projects and the money saved can be spent on expanding the scope of certain schemes.
It was decided refurbishing St David’s School’s current teaching areas would not bring them up to 21st Century Standards so a new building was essential.
In total £4.185 million will be spent on this structure and it is due to open in September 2021.
Numerous other 21st Century Schools projects have been completed or are in the pipeline, including the likes of Penarth Leaning Community, Llantwit Learning Community and a recently announced proposal to provide a new primary school building for Barry Waterfront.