Pupils gain insight into construction at £9.9m new school
Comprehensive school pupils have been given an insight into the construction industry thanks to contractors working on a £9.9m new home for a Welsh medium primary school in Swansea.
Year 10 students at Bishop Vaughan Catholic School have visited the new development at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tan-y-lan.
Thanks to contractors Kier and Swansea Council, they have had the chance to take part in virtual work experience, online careers mentoring and environmental sculpturing and all successfully completed the course.
Due to the pandemic it was not possible for them to visit the construction site last term but with restrictions being relaxed they have now been able to check out how the development is progressing.
The new build is being jointly funded by Swansea Council and the Welsh Government under the 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme which will see £170m spend on improving school infrastructure in Swansea – the largest investment in education in the city’s history.
Bishop Vaughan teacher Lee Murray said: “We are very proud of our pupils who successfully completed this community-based vocational project with Kier construction.
“Last term they worked extremely hard taking part in this uplifting project supporting our local community whilst developing confidence and personal and employability skills.”
Jason Taylor, Operations Director for Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: “It’s important to us that we provide opportunities for the next generation to find out more about the construction industry.
“There is a real breadth of careers available and with various routes to entry, it provides opportunities for all which is vitally important for Wales now and in the future, with the seven goals of the wellbeing and future generations act.
“Our team navigated the challenges of COVID-19 by providing 50 hours of online placements. The students took it in their stride and really engaged with the work experience. Since the start of construction of the new YGG Tan-y-lan school, we have also supported 63 new starters and provided over 500 hours of community engagement which is all part of our commitment to leaving a lasting legacy in areas in which we work.”
Robert Smith, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Education Improvement, Learning and Skills, said: “I’d like to congratulate the pupils who took part in this project and thank Kier and our Education Department for making it happen.”
The school is being built on land at Hill View Crescent in Clase and will have an increased capacity and a nursery that will help meet additional demand for Welsh medium education in the future.
It is anticipated it will be completed ready for the school to occupy early next year.