New chapter for Betws Primary presents exciting opportunities

Betws Primary pupils can expect plenty of excitement and new challenges during the first summer term in their brand new multi-million-pound school.

The state-of-the-art new school opened its doors in January, and now that the children have fully settled in they can look forward to a broad range of improved opportunities as teachers strive to make the most of their new surroundings.

Betws Head of School Liz Pearce said: “We’re excited about the chance to exploit the potential of our fantastic new outdoor spaces which will really come into their own when the weather warms up!

“We know we need to utilise the outdoors more to help develop independent learning skills, so we’re enthused by the wealth of opportunities provided by our new school which create an ideal environment to help our pupils strive for the stars.

“All of the facilities are a massive upgrade on the old building, so it feels like a real new chapter for us. As well as the improvements to the outdoor areas, the building itself is fully equipped to meet modern educational needs.”

Betws Primary School is one of five new builds within Bridgend County Borough during the last five years, all made possible thanks to Bridgend County Borough Council’s school modernisation programme which has been supported with millions of pounds worth of Welsh Government funding.

We are extremely proud of the new Betws Primary School, which was designed by our own in-house Built Environment team and built by Andrew Scott Ltd.

It’s an outstanding school fit for the 21st century. Later this month it will be competing against other projects from across South Wales in the ‘Best Educational Building’ category at the LABC Building Excellence Awards and I’m confident that it is a very worthy contender.

Councillor Charles Smith, Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration

Councillor Smith continued: “Whenever an ageing school is replaced by a brand new one it creates massive potential for developing exciting new opportunities.

“I was really impressed with the facilities when I visited the school just before Easter and it was lovely to see how well everyone has settled in. The school has a really nice open feel to it, with lots of spaces where pupils can learn outside of the classroom, including a selection of cosy reading areas.

“And of course, in the case of this development in Bettws, we’re building not just one new school, but two. While the Betws Primary pupils have already moved into their new school, their old building next door has been demolished to make way for a new Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cwm Garw which is relocating from nearby Pontycymer.

“Work on that new school is progressing well, and is due to open in January 2019. With both of these new schools being just up the road from Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen – which itself is less than five years old – we’re creating a formidable lasting legacy for both the Ogmore and Garw valleys.”