New Cwmaman School: Cabinet Consider Update Report

Cabinet has considered a report updating on proposals for a new all through primary school for the community of Cwmaman. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The proposed new school would see Cwmaman Infants’ School and Glynhafod Junior School replaced with a brand-new community primary school fit for the 21st Century on the former colliery site in the village. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The £7.9m investment in the new school is proposed as part of #RCTinvest – the Council’s £200million, three-year investment in schools, play areas, leisure, town and village centres and highways. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The report provides Cabinet with an update on land surveys undertaken which confirm the suitability of the location for the proposed new school. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “Our proposal for a 21st Century school for Cwmaman is the latest as part of our ambitious plans to raise the standards of our educational facilities across the county borough. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“In Cynon Valley we have already delivered a number of outstanding new schools such as the £50m Aberdare Community School, Cwmbach Primary School, Ynysboeth Primary School, Cwmbach Primary School and Abercynon Community Primary School. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The proposals for a new community primary school were well received during the initial consultation phase and the outcome of the land surveys, which Cabinet will consider next week, in my opinion add further strength to the proposals. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Of particular interest is the assertion that the presence of the new school on the proposed site will actually contribute to reduce the threat of flooding to the immediate surrounding area. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“As the exciting artists impressions for the new school show, this is an excellent opportunity for Cwmaman to have a purpose built, all through, 21st Century school in the village to replace the old Victorian buildings of Cwmaman Infants’ and Glynhafod Juniors which will also make it easier for parents whose children currently attend the two schools located approximately half a mile apart. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We want the very best for our young people, as demonstrated by our plans for Cwmaman, and that is why, with the support of the Welsh Government we plan to invest over £100m in our schools as part of our wider £200million RCT Invest programme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The schools which have received 21st Century Schools investment continue to demonstrate that modern, fit for purpose, educational facilities are a contributing factor towards improved attainment and we will continue to take every opportunity to invest in our schools and communities to support further improvements.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The report considered by Cabinet provides detailed feedback on land surveys undertaken to determine the suitability of the proposed location for the new community primary school. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​