Progress update – future investment for Ysgol Rhydywaun

Residents can now view and have their say on detailed plans for the future investment in 21stCentury Schools facilities for Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun – funded in partnership with Welsh Government.

The scheme will improve upon current facilities at the Penywaun school, and is part of a wider £23.9m investment in education for the Cynon Valley, first agreed by Cabinet in September 2018. The funding will also see significant future investment in Welsh Medium education at YGG Aberdâr in Cwmdare – along with a new £10.2m building for Hirwaun Primary School which is progressing well towards completion this autumn. These projects form a part of the Council’s wider proposals to increase and improve Welsh Medium education throughout the County Borough.

Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun will benefit from an additional teaching block on the school site, to accommodate the growing number of pupils at the school and allow for the removal of the current temporary classrooms – to be delivered in 2022.

A new sports hall will also be built along with additional community facilities, complementing a new ‘all-weather’ 3G sports pitch which was delivered for school and community use in April 2019, thanks to #RCTinvest funding.

The project has now entered the Pre Application Consultation process, where residents can view detailed site plans of the proposed development and have their say.

Residents can take part in the process via email or by completing a form to be submitted via post. The process ends on Thursday, October 22. Full details can be found here.

Councillor Joy Rosser, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Inclusion Services, said: “This important 21st Century Schools investment for Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun has previously been approved by Cabinet as part of the Council’s latest £23.9m investment in education for the Cynon Valley – as we aim to provide the very best facilities within more of our communities, utilising the significant Welsh Government support available through the 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme.

“The Cynon Valley investment will deliver improved learning environments for the benefit of both staff and pupils at Welsh Medium schools in Penywaun and Cwmdare – along with a new £10.2m building for Hirwaun Primary School. Like all of our major 21st Century Schools projects, I was very impressed when visiting the Hirwaun project recently, which is the first of the three to begin on site and is on course to be completed in the coming weeks.

“I’d urge anyone interested in the future development at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun to take part in the current Pre Application Consultation process, where they can access detailed plans and have their say. This exercise is being undertaken before the Council submits a formal planning application.”