Council to bid for funds for an ambitious school improvement programme
Posted on Monday 17th July 2017
At their meeting on 19 July, Newport City Council’s Cabinet will consider a funding bid that could support £70 million of improvements to schools in the city.
The aim of Welsh Government’s 21st Century School programme is to reduce the number of schools and colleges in poor condition and ensure Wales has the right size schools and colleges in the right locations.
Under the programme, local authorities are invited to bid for funds to carry out such works in their area.
Newport City Council is proposing to put forward a programme of improvements to the value of £70 million in anticipation that Welsh Government would fund 50 per cent.
The schools included in the proposal have been selected in line with the council’s strategic aims and the priorities of the programme. Those taking priority have been selected based on condition, the number of school places available in the area and ways in which we can make best use of current assets.
Secondary schools
It is proposed to carry out improvements to the following schools, such as replacement of demountable buildings and remodelling, to ensure sufficiency of school places:
- Bassaleg School
- Caerleon Comprehensive
- Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed
Primary schools
It is proposed to carry out on-site improvements, for example to catering and external areas, to improve facilities and create additional places at the following schools:
- Maesglas Primary
- Pillgwenlly Primary
- Maindee Primary
- Rogerstone Primary
- St Woolos Primary
- Malpas Church in Wales
The proposals also include funds which will support new schools in the city which are partly funded by developers:
- Glan Llyn and Llanwern Primaries
- Proposed new school on Whiteheads development
As this is a strategic outline programme, the exact elements may be subject to change and depending on the level of investment secured, there will be some flexibility.