Islwyn High School Celebrates Successful First Week

Pupils from the former Oakdale and Pontllanfraith Comprehensive schools are celebrating a successful first week after amalgamating to become Islwyn High School. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Students are currently still studying at the existing Oakdale and Pontllanfraith school sites and will move to their new home on the site of the former Oakdale Colliery in May 2017. Year 11 pupils will complete their education at their current school sites to minimise disruption during the GCSE period. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The impressive 3 storey building will deliver modern teaching spaces alongside state of the art technology workshops, science labs and IT suites. The grounds of the site will a include 3G pitch, 200 metre athletics track and multi-use games area as well as outdoor learning spaces and a small amphitheatre. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Head Teacher, Tim Williams said: “I am delighted with how the first week has gone for Caerphilly’s newest secondary school. All of the plans that we’ve put in place over the last couple of years have paid off and it’s been a really smooth transition for everyone involved. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

All pupils look particularly smart in their new uniform and have already settled down to their learning. As far as they’re concerned, it’s business as usual on the two existing Pontllanfraith and Oakdale sites until the new £25.5 million building is ready for us in May. It’s an exciting year for everyone and we look forward to seeing our new school continue to grow and flourish” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr. Derek Havard, Cabinet Member for Education & Lifelong Learning said: “I am pleased to hear that pupils have had a successful first week as Islwyn High School. I am sure the new school will go from strength to strength with each pupil being encouraged to reach their full potential. I am also impressed with progress on the new £25.5 million campus in Oakdale, this important financial investment from Caerphilly County Borough Council and Welsh Government highlights our commitment to ensuring every pupil has the opportunity for access to first class learning facilities.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​