Ysgol Cedewain: Progress on Newtown special school plans

Powys County Council is planning to build a new school for Ysgol Cedewain and has prepared a Strategic Outline Case (SOC), which will be considered by the authority’s Cabinet on Tuesday, March 3.

If the SOC is approved, these plans for the Newtown based school will be submitted to the Welsh Government for their approval.

Cabinet will be told that the funding required for the replacement school would be almost £22.7m, with 75 per cent of funding coming from the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools Programme.

The remaining 25 per cent would be funded by the council.

As part of the plans, the new Ysgol Cedewain school will have purpose-built and state-of-the-art facilities including a hydrotherapy pool, sensory and physiotherapy rooms and garden as well as a community café.

Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “One of our priorities is an innovative, state-of-the-art campus to replace the existing Ysgol Cedewain buildings, which are in a very poor condition and not fit-for-purpose.

“If the Strategic Outline Case are approved by both Cabinet and the Welsh Government, this would be a huge investment in our school infrastructure.

“As part of our Vision 2025, we are committed to providing world-class facilities, especially for our most vulnerable learners.

“Our plan for Ysgol Cedewain shows this commitment.”

Before Christmas, Powys County Council plans went on displayat a drop-in event held at Maesyrhandir Primary School, showing how the authority intends to build affordable housing on the former Red Dragon site and the new school for Ysgol Cedewain.At the time Lynette Lovell, Powys County Council’s Interim Head of Education, said: “One of our priorities is an innovative, state-of-the-art campus to replace the existing Ysgol Cedewain buildings.

“We are committed to providing world-class facilities for our most vulnerable learners.”