First Minister opens all-new Brynmenyn Primary School

First Minister Carwyn Jones has officially opened the all-new Brynmenyn Primary School in Bridgend County Borough.

With a total project cost of £9.14m, the school is the latest to be delivered as part of Bridgend County Borough Council’s school modernisation programme, which has been financed using millions of pounds worth of funding from Welsh Government and the council.

The new Brynmenyn Primary School joins nearby Coleg Cymunedol y Dderwen and Ynysawdre Swimming Pool to sit at the heart of the local community, and replaces a smaller, ageing building which originally opened in 1913 and could not be developed further as it was surrounded by common land.

At twice the size of its former 100-year-old premises, the new primary offers a nursery, 14 large classrooms equipped with modern learning technology, state-of-the-art educational facilities and more than 14,000 square metres of specially designed open space.

The new school benefits from a dedicated car park and safe drop-off and pick-up zones, and also incorporates a memorial to Sarah Jane Howell - a former assistant teacher who died in 1911 while saving a pupil from drowning.

Pupils also have access to incorporated sports pitches for the first time in the school’s long history.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “Brynmenyn Primary School is an excellent example of the comfortable, modern, fit-for-purpose schools we want for young people.

“Our 21st Century Schools and Education Programme plays a key part in this, and is the largest investment in our schools and colleges since the 1960s. I’m pleased this new school has benefited from £6.8million funding from this scheme, and it has been great to see for myself how it is making a valuable difference to education in our communities.”

This £9.14m school is the latest in a series of new builds across the county borough, and it joins the likes of all-new premises and facilities provided at Penyfai, Coety and Betws primary schools.

With more than £65m set to be committed towards the next phase of the school modernisation programme, it remains our largest area of investment. Brynmenyn follows the opening of a new primary school in Pencoed last month, while replacement Welsh medium Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cwm Garw will be ready at Bettws early in the new year.

Council Leader Huw David

The new school was built by contractors BAM Construction Limited, and designed by Boyes Rees Architects.

Councillor Charles Smith, Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration, said: “Brynmenyn Primary has a lot of history behind it, and thanks to the efforts of everyone who has contributed towards the delivery of this project, the school also has a bright future.

“I believe that this new school, and our wider school modernisation programme, represents all of our ambitions and aspirations for the future generations of Bridgend County Borough.

“The overall design of the school is intended to create a wealth of opportunities, and to establish a learning environment that fully meets all modern educational needs.”