First Minister Officially Opens Aberdare Community School Today
Photograph by http://www.jbelectrical-swansea.co.uk/
First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones is set to officially open the new Aberdare Community School today.
The school forms part of the Council’s substantial £50m investment in education, leisure and community facilities on the Sobell site, Aberdare.
The largest development of its kind in the region, the official opening of the Aberdare Community School heralds an exciting new chapter in 21stCentury education across the County Borough.
Aberdare Community School will be officially opened by First Minister Carwyn Jones, in the presence of Cllr Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Cllr Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, Headteacher Susan Davies OBE and other guests.
Carwyn Jones, First Minister of Wales said: “We are committed to providing modern and vibrant learning environments for our students here in Wales. Aberdare Community School is a great example of that commitment in action and shows what can be achieved when we work in partnership with local government to deliver for local communities.
“We’re delighted to have been able to provide nearly £21.5 million in capital funding through our 21st Century School programme for this fantastic new school. I’m certain it’ll be an inspirational place for people to learn and will make a real difference to its pupils, the staff and local community as a whole.”
Cllr Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member For Education and Skills, said: “I am thrilled to see the end results of this ambitious project in Rhondda Cynon Taf and am delighted to welcome the First Minister to officially open the school which received funding via the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools initiative.
“It is clear to anyone visiting the school that the facilities on offer really are second to none and having spoken to pupils, parents and staff, I know everyone involved is immensely proud of the school and the opportunities it presents.
“Aberdare Community School creates a modern, inspiring environment in which all the young people who attend are able to secure the education, skills and training they need to reach their full potential and to thrive in life.”
Designers and contractors worked closely with the community throughout the wide-scale consultation process to ensure the Council’s ambitious multi-million-pound project met the expectations of everyone involved.
The mixed-use education and leisure Sobell development comprises of the new secondary school for up to 1,600 pupils, along with a caretaker's lodge. It is adjacent to, and linked with the new Sobell Leisure Centre and is complemented by a new skate park and all-weather pitch with a new 3G artificial grass pitch.
The new Aberdare Community School opened in 2014 as a result of the amalgamation of Aberdare Boys School, Aberdare Girls School and Blaengwawr Comprehensive School.
The Aberdare Community School development received £15m funding from the Welsh Government’s 21stCentury Schools and Education Programme.
The school campus comprises of a three-storey building comprising of a light and open double atrium.
The school is designed with ‘break out areas’ for learning, independent from the classrooms and within carefully-designed corridor spaces.
Aberdare Community Schooll is Wi-Fi connected and utilises modern technology through I-Pad equipped rooms enabling tablet-driven learning in internet cafes.
The school also has a recording studio, an open area with a giant projector, a gym, a dance area and is the only school in Wales to benefit from sound booths.
