Minister to officially open Cwmbran High tomorrow

Cwmbran High will be officially opened by Education Minister Huw Lewis on Tuesday, 8 March 2016 at 11.30am in the school’s new Performance Hall. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cwmbran High School replaced Fairwater and Llantarnam secondary schools, following a £6million investment from Torfaen council’s 21st Century Schools programme. This project has been match funded by the Welsh Government through its 21st Century Schools and Education Programme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Welsh Government’s ambitious 21st Century Schools and Education Programme is a commitment to invest in building and improving schools all over Wales. It aims to transform the learning experience of students, ensuring they are taught in classrooms with the technologies and facilities needed to deliver a 21st Century curriculum. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The new school has been redeveloped on the Fairwater High School site, with the name chosen by pupils from Llantarnam School and Fairwater High School. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Head teacher Helen Coulson said: “Our aim is to establish Cwmbran High as an outstanding school in the heart of Cwmbran. Cwmbran High will be a high achieving, academic school that will bring success to its pupils and will become a real community asset, something of which we will all be very proud.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Work on the school saw the refurbishment of the lower school block, the introduction of new kitchen and dining facilities, and the remodelling of existing classrooms. A major overhaul to the existing heating and electrical systems in the lower block was also undertaken, in addition to alterations to site access and parking for both users of the school and Fairwater Leisure Centre. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Education Minister, Huw Lewis said: “Cwmbran High is an excellent example of what we, in partnership with local government, are trying to achieve through our ambitious 21st Century Schools programme. We are committed to providing our learners with modern and inspiring facilities that are fit for the 21st Century, and will help them to fulfil their potential. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Welsh Government and Torfaen investment will benefit not only the pupils currently attending Cwmbran High, but also the wider community and future generations for years to come. I would like to wish everyone involved with Cwmbran High the very best for the future.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Staff and pupils started at the new school in September and ahead of the school opening, a transition group was set up to help the smooth transfer for pupils from Fairwater and Llantarnam secondary schools. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The executive member for education, councillor David Yeowell, said: “This official opening is another milestone in our commitment to make each school in Torfaen the right size, the right place and adaptable to the changing curriculum. These fantastic new facilities will be the catalyst to raise standards and give all pupils the aspirations and opportunities to be the best they can be. The facilities meet modern teaching and learning needs, and there is a positive atmosphere which I’m sure will help deliver significant progress.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​