School children in Five Roads move into new £4.5m school

CHILDREN in Five Roads have not just returned to school, they have returned to a new £4.5million school fit for 21st century learning.

The new school building has been completed by Carmarthenshire County Council on land adjacent to the existing school site providing state-of-the-art facilities and accommodation for pupils and staff.

It provides 120 places for pupils aged between 4 and 11, as well as an additional 30 nursery places being delivered by an external provider, helping to meet the demand for Welsh language education in the area.

Phase one of the project also includes much needed off-road parking for staff and visitors and a drop-off area for parents.

Phase two will provide a multi-use games area that can be shared with the community, which will be located on the existing site following the demolition of the old school building. It is hoped to be completed by June.

Chair of Governors Cllr Jim Jones said: “It is wonderful to see the pupils and staff in the new school, the classrooms are bright and airy, and the outside space they have to play in is just wonderful.

“It has already made such a difference to both the children and staff and we are absolutely delighted with it. The children are excited for the multi-use games area to be finished, and then we will have a school that the whole community can be proud of.”

The project is being delivered as part of the council’s Modernising Education Programme and is jointly funded by Welsh Government through its 21st Century Schools initiative.

The building has been designed by the council’s own architects and the works are being carried out by TRJ Ltd.

Executive Board Member for Education and Children’s Services Cllr Glynog Davies said: “The council is committed to investing in our children’s futures and it is wonderful to see the children and staff of Ysgol Pum Heol in their new school.

“We want to provide the very best educational facilities in which to deliver a modern curriculum, with high-quality, inspirational teaching in an environment which stimulates learning, and that is exactly what we have achieved in Five Roads.”

Headteacher Eira Rumble (pictured) said: “I am very proud to be the first headteacher in this new school building. We have fond memories of our old school, but it was time to move on, and the accommodation and facilities we have in this new building has provided an exciting learning environment for us all.”