Islwyn High School Nears Completion

Pupil Ambassadors pay a visit to the build of the brand new state-of-the-art Islwyn High School as it is just weeks away from completion following the installation of the 3G pitch, external paving and completion of the internal finishes. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The multimillion pound building, constructed on the site of the former Oakdale Colliery, forms part of the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools programme and is due to host pupils from both Pontllanfraith and Oakdale Comprehensive Schools. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Contractor Wilmott Dixon are leading the construction of the facility and have been keen to involve pupils and staff at every stage holding regular updates with the pupil construction ambassadors from both schools and facilitating tours of the site. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Headteacher Tim Williams said, “It has been fantastic to be involved in every step of the building process for our new school. Islwyn High School is more than just a building, it is a place where we can shape the future of our pupils and offer them the best possible learning environment to achieve their ambitions.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The modern facility is spread across 3 floors and will host 1170 pupils including those with more complex needs. The modern and unique design includes a garden, amphitheatre and a pond for pupils to enjoy the outdoor space. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The school also boasts a range of environmentally friendly features such as photovoltaic roof panels and underground rainwater storage tanks. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr. Derek Havard, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning said, “The completion of the school marks a brand new and exciting chapter for both the pupils and staff of Islwyn High School. It is a key priority for us to make investments in education and continually look at ways to develop and improve all of the services we have to offer the pupils of the county. The impressive campus is the latest in a long list of 21st Century School Facilities we have provided in partnership with Welsh Government.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The official hand over of the keys will take place at the end of April 2017 and pupils from both schools will move across to the new campus in July with the exception of year 11 who will remain in their respective schools to complete their GCSE examinations. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​