Pupils take sneaky peak at their brand new school

 

 

Youngsters planning to move into two brand new schools being built in the Vale of Clwyd have been given another opportunity to see how the work is progressing, as the building work enters its final stage.

New school buildings and facilities  for Ysgol Pen Barras and Rhos Street School in Ruthin are being developed on a shared site at Glasdir. They will replace the current buildings located on Rhos Street.

The overall cost of the project is estimated to be £11.2 million, with the project funded by Denbighshire County Council through its 21^st Century Schools programme and the Welsh Government. Wynne Construction is the main contractor for the building work.

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, Children, Young People and the Welsh Language, said: “This is such an exciting opportunity for the children to see for themselves how the work is progressing. Every time you drive past you notice something different on the site.

“We have held school visits to the site before, as part of our commitment to involving pupils in the development and their reaction is always one of sheer excitement.

“Now with the building works entering the final stages, we look forward to the brand new schools being completed ahead of the opening in April.  This project has really taken shape and marks a significant investment in education in the Ruthin area”.

Alison Hourihane, Business and Community Development Manager, Wynne Construction said: “We are delighted to welcome the children to visit the site and familiarise themselves with their new school and its surroundings.  During the tour, we will look at the building plans and highlight the types of construction skills involved in the build.  They will also see the workforce in action”.

Ruthin schools plans move a step closer

Plans to build brand new school buildings in the Ruthin area have moved a step closer after business cases for funding  were approved by members of Denbighshire County Council, meeting in Ruthin today (Tuesday).

One of the projects is to provide replacement school buildings and facilities for Ysgol Pen Barras and Rhos Street School on a new shared site in Ruthin.  The project may also house current pupils, subject to parental preference from Ysgol Rhewl, which is scheduled to close in August 2017.

The overall cost of the project is estimated to be £10.5 million.  The Business Case  agreed by the Council is to seek approximately 42% funding for the project from Welsh Government.  The remaining £6.08 million has been identified by the Council as part of its 21^st Century Schools programme funding.

It is expected that work would begin in September 2016 with completion in Summer 2017, subject to a final funding decision by Welsh Government.

The other project is for a new building for Ysgol Carreg Emlyn in Clocaenog.  Ysgol Carreg Emlyn was formed in September 2014 to replace the previous schools at Ysgol Clocaenog and Ysgol Cyffylliog – with the school continuing to use both the old school sites.

The proposed business case is to seek approval from the Welsh Government for almost £1.4 million towards the work, with Denbighshire funding the rest of the project (total cost – £4.9 million). It is hoped that construction work could begin in November 2016, again subject to Welsh Government funding.

The Council wishes to emphasise that both proposals would be subject to planning permission.

Councillor Eryl Williams, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, said: “These projects have come as a result of the review of education provision in Ruthin and surrounding areas. 

“Both the Pen Barras and Rhos Street schools are currently on the same site in another part of town and the buildings are in desperate need of being replaced. Our preferred option has been to locate both schools in brand new, state of the art buildings on the Glasdir site and plans have already been drawn up and shared with the public at a recent drop-in event.

“The Carreg Emlyn development is the next logical step in the history of the new school and detailed designs have already been drawn up.  The next step would be to appoint a contractor to develop the detailed designs.

“The Council is committed to providing fit for purpose education facilities for our children and young people and we are delighted to support these business cases.

The outcome of the business cases is expected from Welsh Government during May.

A third business case for a new area school for the Llanfair and Pentrecelyn areas will be submitted for discussion over the coming months.

 

 

Watch… Fly through of new buildings for Rhos Street School and Ysgol Pen Barras

Following the completion of design work for the new school buildings and facilities for Rhos Street School and Ysgol Pen Barras, Denbighshire County Council and Wynne Construction held a well-attended pre-planning drop in session on Tuesday 26^th April at the Ruthin Farmers Market.

The event saw around 200 parents, staff, Governors and residents attend the event which showcased the site plans and 3D images for the new development which will be located at Glasdir Farm.

A flythrough of the site can be viewed here:

 

Karen Evans, Head of Education and Children’s Services “I was heartened to see a positive response to these proposals which will improve significantly the teaching and learning environment for both Rhos Street School and Ysgol Pen Barras. We will be reflecting on the comments received and these will strengthen the scheme as it moves into the planning stage.”

Chris Wynne, Managing Director, Wynne Construction added: “We were extremely pleased to meet so many children, parents and local residents and other community groups during the evening.  We look forward to continuing our community engagement and other activities as the project progresses.”

It is expected that the plans will be submitted to the planning department on April 29^th and will be available on the Council website shortly afterwards.

Have Your Say on Proposed New School Building Plans

A drop –in session is being arranged to showcase proposed plans for new replacement school buildings for both Ysgol Pen Barras and Rhos Street School on the Glasdir Farm site in Ruthin.

The Council is progressing with proposals and the drop –in session, being held as part of the consultation, will allow people to view the plans or speak with representatives from Denbighshire County Council and Wynne Construction regarding the proposed development.

People can attend the session on Tuesday, 26 April at the Ruthin Farmers Market anytime between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

For further enquiries regarding the drop-in session, please phone 01824 706127 or e-mail: modernisingeducation@denbighshire.gov.uk

Ruthin Primary Projects

The delivery phase for the 4 new school primary buildings in the Ruthin area is progressing. It is planned that new buildings for Ysgol Carreg Emlyn, Rhos Street School and Ysgol Pen Barras will be opened by September 2017. A new school building for the area school to serve Llanfair and Pentrecelyn is scheduled to open in January 2018. This will transform primary learning with two thirds of all primary children in the area being educated in new facilities. To oversee this work a project board has now been established, chaired by the Chief Executive. All 3 projects are part of the current Corporate Plan and the board will assist in ensuring the projects become a reality.

To assist this agreement has been made with the Welsh Government so that these three projects will be included in Denbighshire’s 21st Century Schools Programme. Over the next 18-24 months we will communicate with parents on a regular basis to inform you of the progress on these three projects.

RHOS STREET & YSGOL PENBARRAS- Since the summer work has been undertaken on developing a concept design for the new school buildings and facilities for both Rhos Street School and Ysgol Pen Barras on the Glasdir site.

The project will be going to the market via the North Wales Construction Framework in early 2016. We expect that a contractor will be appointed in March. This will then allow for detailed design to take place during the spring term with both school communities. Work at the site is scheduled to begin during the summer of 2016 and is scheduled to be completed for September 2017.

YSGOL CARREG EMLYN-  Detailed design work is currently taking place on a new school for Ysgol Carreg Emlyn. An initial design will be presented to Governors in December 2015.

The new school building will be located in the village of Clocaenog and will enable the school to be located on one site.

During the course of the detailed design work, we will share plans of the new school, including 3D images via newsletters and our blog.

Ysgol Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd & Ysgol Pentrecelyn- Initial designs for the new school are currently being drawn up. Work is progressing within the project timeline with a number of feasibility studies being undertaken on potential sites.