A DEVELOPER has been appointed to build a £9.1 million school for vulnerable pupils in Powys.
ISG Ltd has been awarded the contract by Powys County Council to build a new school for Brynllywarch Hall School, with work expected to get under way early next year.
The school, in Kerry near Newtown, provides education for pupils aged between eight and 19, with a wide range of complex emotional, behavioural and social difficulties.
When completed, the school will provide 72 places in age-appropriate environments, and offer specialist support and provision to pupils with challenging behaviour.
It will also provide appropriate learning spaces to deliver the new national curriculum, specialist equipment, including IT facilities, and a fully equipped class base, with breakout space and hygiene facilities, together with an individual outdoor learning area.
Community groups will also be able to access the facilities out of school hours.
The Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme (formerly known as the 21st Century Schools Programme) will fund 75 per cent of the construction with the remaining 25 per cent funded by the council.
The social value element of this project has been calculated at £2.093m which will require ISG Ltd to provide opportunities for local contractors and offer community benefits during the build.
Cllr Pete Roberts, cabinet member for a learning Powys, said: “The existing Brynllywarch Hall building no longer offers a suitable environment for the teaching and support requirements of pupils with significant behavioural, emotional or social difficulties.
“When complete, the new building will provide an environment where teaching staff can thrive and provide pupils with the facilities that enable their needs to be met their needs giving them a more enjoyable and fulfilling educational experience.
“We therefore look forward to working together with ISG Ltd as them turn the plans into bricks and mortar.”
Kath Roberts-Jones, chair of governors and headteacher Gavin Randell, issued a statement adding: " The whole school community is very pleased that the well needed new school is progressing and is looking forward to working closely with the contractors and bring the school to completion.”
ISG’s Operations Director, Kevin McElroy, said: “Upon completion the facility will provide the much-needed specialist support and the learning environments to deliver tailored lessons, enabling and empowering all pupils to be educated to the national curriculum – all while meeting crucial environmental criteria. Once open it is set to achieve net zero carbon in operation and offer significant social value requirements that we look forward to collaborating with Powys on and maximising local opportunities.
“The delivery of this project expands on our vast experience in the area and is the latest we have secured through the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme via the SEWSCAP3 Framework. It follows the successful completion of South Point Primary in the Vale of Glamorgan earlier this year, the first net zero carbon school in Wales.”
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