Ambitious school improvement programme receives support
Posted on Tuesday 16th January 2018
Newport City Council recently submitted a funding bid to Welsh Government to support £70 million of improvements to schools in the city.
The council is delighted that in-principle support has been confirmed and that work can now begin on the next steps of the plan.
The aim of Welsh Government’s 21st Century School and Education 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.
Councillor Gail Giles, cabinet member for education and skills, said: “This is fantastic news for Newport schools. This money will not only enable us to make some much-needed improvements, it will also help us ensure our schools are fit to offer current and future generations the best possible educational experience.”
Councillor Debbie Wilcox, Leader of Newport City Council, said: “We have made a clear commitment to schools and education and have backed it up with additional cash injections in this financial year and proposals to continue such support in the coming year. However, the funds available to us are very limited and the challenge facing us and schools continues to grow. This makes this support and financial injection from Welsh Government all the more welcomed – it will go a long way to help us deliver on our priorities for young people in our city.”
Under the programme, local authorities were invited to bid for funds to carry out such works in their area.
Newport 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 were 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.
Work on the detailed plans, businesses cases and work programme will now begin and will be further considered by Welsh Government as required by the funding programme.
The outline scheme submitted included the following projects but the exact elements may be subject to change as negotiations with Welsh Government continue:
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