The construction of a new purpose-built school in Bangor, to accommodate up to 420 pupils has got underway. Pupils from Ysgol y Garnedd, Ysgol Coed Mawr and Glanadda, were present for the official ‘sod cutting’ ceremony at the new school site.
The new school will be built on the corner of the Ysgol Friars playing fields, closest to the existing Garnedd school, providing fourteen classrooms, two Additional Learning Needs classrooms, a Cylch Meithrin along with a number of different teaching spaces, staff and administration areas and a large hall.
The new development is part of a wider £12.7 million scheme that will reorganise the primary education provision in the Bangor area. The scheme also includes increasing the capacity of nearby Ysgol y Faenol to 315 pupils. Ysgol y Faenol will be renovated and extended and work is due to start in the summer.
Under the plans Ysgol Coed Mawr and Ysgol Glanadda will close, with places available for the pupils at either school due to the increase in capacity.
Councillor Gareth Thomas, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “A new, state of the art school for Ysgol y Garnedd is an exciting beginning to the reorganisation of primary education in the Bangor area. The increasing demand for places at the school has meant that the current structure is no longer suitable for their needs, and pupils will benefit from a new and modern facility. ”
Pupils from Ysgol y Garnedd and Ysgol Coed Mawr a Glanadda were present as work started the site.
Dr Catrin Elis Williams, Ysgol Y Garnedd’s Chair of Governors and Llion Williams, Ysgol y Garnedd’s Heateacher added: “This is a historical day for Ysgol Y Garnedd. The school’s staff and pupils have achieved fantastic work under difficult circumstances over the last few years, due to the current structure no longer being fit for purpose. A larger, modern school will enable the school to build on its success and go from strength to strength.”
Alex Read, Director for Read Construction who are responsible for building the new school stated: “Read are delighted to be working with Gwynedd Council on this prestigious project. Throughout the scheme, we will be working closely with the schools and community to celebrate project milestones and deliver maximum added value.”
The new school is due to open its doors in September 2020.
Photos: Pupils and representatives from Ysgol y Garnedd, Ysgol Coed Mawr and Ysgol Glanadda along with Gwynedd Council representatives at the ceremony at the new school site.
