Anglesey County Council is set to resume its school modernisation programme during 2020.
The Authority will consider fresh proposals for the future of education in Llangefni, Seiriol and Amlwch catchment areas over the next 12 months.
Llangefni will be considered first with two proposal papers brought before the Executive later this month. They will recommend a public consultation on plans to:
- Re-locate and build a new £10m Ysgol Corn Hir on a different site to accommodate pupils from Ysgol Bodffordd, close Ysgol Bodffordd and review the catchment areas of Ysgol Bodffordd and Ysgol Corn Hir
- Increase the capacity of Ysgol y Graig with a £6m expansion to accommodate pupils from Ysgol Talwrn, close Ysgol Talwrn and review the catchment areas of Ysgol y Graig and Ysgol Talwrn
The proposals have been designed to meet the long-term sustainability of education in the Llangefni area, whilst also ensuring that there are sufficient school places to meet the demands now and in the future.
Education Portfolio holder, Councillor Meirion Jones, said, “The aim of our modernisation programme is to create the best possible educational environment for teachers, staff and all pupils to succeed and thereby promote high standards.”
“Change is seldom easy; and the school modernisation programme has, to date, been very challenging. It has meant making difficult decisions and closing some primary schools. It has also allowed us to invest a substantial £22m in education on the Island by building three new schools for current and future generations.”
He added, “Since Anglesey’s School Modernisation Programme began in 2012, new 21st century primary schools have been built and opened in Holyhead, Llanfaethlu and Newborough. Welsh Government funding to build more new schools fit for the 21st century is available now and it is vital that we continue to make the best possible use of it.”
In May 2019, the Executive asked officers to look afresh at both the Llangefni and Seiriol areas. Work undertaken over the last six months has looked afresh at various aspects of the schools’ modernisation programme and the requirements under the Schools’ Organisation Code 2018.
Council Leader, Cllr Llinos Medi, said, “We firmly believe that our schools modernisation programme represents a vital driver for positive change in education across the whole county. By investing in the future of our children and young people, we will ensure that they are taught in school buildings which are fit for the 21st century, in the right place, and meet both the needs of pupils and staff. This will, ultimately, help raise standards and protect the Welsh language.”
The Llangefni proposal papers will go before an extraordinary meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, January 14th, and then to the Executive on Monday, January 20. Further proposals relating to Seiriol and Amlwch will also be considered in due course.
Ends 8.1.20