The Cabinet Secretary for Education in Wales, Lynne Neagle MS, has visited Blaenau Gwent to see how Welsh Government funding is improving and building schools in the borough.
Mrs Neagle met pupils and staff, Council representatives and contractors at Glyncoed Primary School in Ebbw Vale and the brand-new Welsh medium primary, Ysgol Gymraeg Tredegar.
The 360-place Glyncoed Primary School was built thanks to a partnership between Blaenau Gwent Council and Welsh Government through the Sustainable Communities for Learning funding programme. The school cost £13.5million, with a third funded by the Council. The build also incorporates a Welsh medium day nursery, funded through the Childcare Offer Capital Grant.
Ysgol Gymraeg Tredegar is a 210-place seedling school, with co-located childcare, in Chartist Way. The school cost £17million, fully funded by Welsh Government. With the numbers of children in Welsh education growing, it’s part of the Council’s commitment to increasing opportunities for families within the county borough. The school has been fully funded by the Welsh Government through the Welsh Medium Capital Grant. The school has a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), a forest play area, a growing orchard, wild-flower meadows and an adjacent play area. It also has solar panels and electric vehicle charging points
Cabinet Secretary for Education Lynne Neagle said:
“It has been great to see firsthand the work that has been done by the schools’ leadership teams, staff and the council to deliver modern facilities designed for learners and the communities they live in. I was really pleased to see the flexible learning environments at Glyncoed, improved Additional Learning Needs provision and spaces designed to be used by the wider community.
“It’s so inspiring to see learners flourishing at Ysgol Gymraeg Tredegar, the second Welsh-medium primary school in the borough, delivered with over £17m of Welsh Government investment. I hope the learners can enjoy and really benefit from learning in their new school.”
Headteacher at Glyncoed Primary, Joanne Weightman said:
“We were incredibly proud to welcome the Cabinet Secretary for Education to our school. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the vibrant learning environment we have established for our pupils, and to share the hard work, vision, and dedication that has gone into creating purposeful learning environments, both indoors and out. The visit was a significant moment for our school community, and we are grateful for the Minister’s time, interest, and support.”
Headteacher at Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Helyg, Janine Wardill said:
“As Headteacher of Ysgol Gymraeg Tredegar, I was incredibly proud and honoured to welcome the Cabinet Secretary for Education to our school. This visit reflects the strong vision for Welsh‑medium education in Blaenau Gwent - a vision brought to life through the commitment and collaboration of the Welsh Government, the local authority, our governors, staff, parents and the wider community. As we see this shared vision realised for the benefit of our learners, we are extremely proud of what has been achieved and excited about the future of Welsh‑medium education in the area.”
Councillor Sue Edmunds, Blaenau Gwent Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Families said:
“We’re delighted to continue to work in partnership with the Welsh Government to invest in and modernise the school estate here in Blaenau Gwent. Our priorities are to give every child the best start in life, provide inclusive and nurturing learning environments, and inspire lifelong learning. Having the very best facilities we can offer means that our children and young people have the opportunities they deserve to thrive and reach their full potential.”
