Welsh Government invests £280M in new campuses

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The Welsh Government has invested £280M into their flagship 21^st Century Schools & Education programme which aims to modernise and transform schools in North Wales into hubs for wider learning and local activities.

Two of the new schemes within the programme, Ysgol Pen Barras and Rhos Street in Ruthin, have already opened after receiving £8.6M to construct a new, state-of-the-art campus which the separate Welsh-medium and English-medium schools share.

The two schemes were a part of the first phase in the Welsh Government’s programme which included a total of 170 projects across the whole of Wales, 39 of which were situated in North Wales.

The Welsh First Minister, Mark Drakeford stated: “I am looking forward to visiting Ysgol Pen Barras and Rhos Street in Ruthin to hear about the experiences of the staff and pupils in their new schools.

“The first phase of the 21st Century Schools and Education programme has invested more than £280 million in schools and colleges across North Wales, delivering real benefits for pupils.

“This has been the largest investment in school buildings since the 1960s and has been delivered in partnership with local authorities and communities. It is something everyone can be proud of.

“There is more to come, as the second phase now begins. With £2.3 billion available for schools and colleges across Wales, there will be further opportunities for North Wales to benefit.”

The newly built and/or improved school campuses will focus upon challenging and supporting schools, colleges, and communities in Wales to encourage educational institutes to work alongside local communities and place their new facilities at these communities’ centre.

Some of the schools and colleges in North Wales that have already benefitted from the first phases of the programme include: Ysgol Cybi in Holyhead, Ysgol Awel y Myndd in Llandudno Junction, Ysgol Hafod y Lôn, Penrhyndeudraeth, Ysgol Glancegin in Bangor, Rhyl High school, Holywell Learning Campus, Deeside 6^th in Connah’s Quay, Ysgol O M Edwards in Bala, Ysgol Hafod y Wern in Wrexham, and Coleg Cambria in Wrexham.

The second phase in the government’s programme has been renamed as the 21^st Century Schools and Colleges programme and will receive a further £2.3Bn.

The Welsh Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams stated: “I was delighted to officially launch the second wave of funding for this programme recently, which will see further investment in schools and colleges across Wales.

“This investment is absolutely crucial if we are to provide our pupils with the learning environments they deserve, while supporting them to achieve their aspirations.”

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