Site visits by Anglesey pupils to their new school build

19-Jul-2022

Local pupils have been welcomed on our Ysgol Newydd Corn Hir site to see how a sustainable school is built using modern methods of construction (MMC) and as the new school heads towards the final stages of completion.

Our company was appointed by the Isle of Anglesey County Council to deliver the 20-month project which sits opposite the Bryn Meurig housing estate on the B5109. Upon completion, the development will replace the existing school building and provide larger, more energy-efficient classrooms which maximise natural light and ventilation.

The school visits come at a key stage in the development with the structure of the site having taken shape and the multimillion-pound building fully sealed and water-tight with the roofing, windows, and structural insulated panel walls (SIPs) now in place. The timber SIPs, which have been manufactured offsite within factory conditions, allow for rapid erection of the structure in a manner which is cost and energy efficient.

Year six pupils at the current Ysgol Corn Hir visited the site to see what the future school will look like before they progress to secondary school in September. Additionally, visits by secondary school pupils from Ysgol David Hughes, Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi, and Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern have also taken place throughout July, providing an opportunity for pupils to see what a career in the construction industry looks like and to help inform them of possible next steps in their education.

Alison Hourihane, our social value manager, said: “We are committed to threading social value and community engagement throughout the construction process, and hosting a series of visits for local schools is one example of this in action.”

The new building will consist of 10 classrooms for 270 pupils aged 4 to 11, and an additional nursery classroom together with a childcare unit. In addition, we have designed the infrastructure in communal areas such as the school hall and dining room with the potential for further expansion, meaning the school can increase its capacity as the town of Llangefni grows.

Andrew Williams, our project manager, said: “It’s fantastic to see these spacious classrooms start to take shape, especially as these modern spaces are bound to have a positive impact on the children’s early education experiences. By incorporating large windows in all classrooms, the natural lighting will help to stimulate learning as well as create a bright and pleasant working environment for teachers and school staff. We have also installed a natural ventilation system using windcatchers on the roof so when classrooms get too warm, vents will open to allow for fresh air flow, requiring much less energy than air conditioning.”

As part of our sustainability commitments, the building design incorporates photovoltaic panels on the roof and air source heat pumps to reduce environmental harm and ongoing operational costs once the school is up and running.

The scheme is part funded by the Welsh Government through its Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme and will be constructed to BREEAM Excellent standards.

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