Project Start: Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth

Wynne Construction has started works to enhance Welsh-medium education in mid-Wales as part of a £5.7m design and build contract awarded by Ceredigion County Council.

The project involves redeveloping and extending Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth and creating a Welsh Language Immersion Centre on the school site in line with the council’s Welsh in Education Strategic Plan.

The project will refurbish the existing school building, currently the only Welsh-medium primary provision in Aberystwyth, and demolish its two temporary classrooms which account for more than 50 per cent of its teaching facilities at present.

Wynne Construction will also build a two-story block providing 10 classrooms, a staff room, and intervention spaces to provide targeted Welsh language support for pupils – a change that will increase Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth’s capacity to 400 learners (excluding nursery children).

The standalone extension will be net zero in operation once complete and feature air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels (PVS), alongside a dedicated covered outdoor walkway to allow access between the existing school and the new structure.

Initial activity has seen Wynne Construction clear the school’s pitch to prepare for piling, with an estimated workforce of 50 expected on site as the scheme progresses.

In addition, the new Welsh Language Immersion Centre will offer an opportunity for youngsters with limited Welsh to build up their knowledge and understanding of the language, supporting their transition into Welsh-medium schools.

Wynne Construction director Steve Davies said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth extensions and refurbishment project and to be working once again with Ceredigion County Council.

“Having successfully delivered Ysgol Dyffryn Aeron, we understand the importance Ceredigion places on creating high-quality, sustainable learning environments that support pupils, staff, and the wider community.

“This latest appointment is a fantastic opportunity to build on that successful relationship and bring our experience of delivering education projects in live school environments to Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth.

“We look forward to working collaboratively with the council, the school, and the project team to deliver a scheme that provides lasting benefits for Welsh-medium education in Aberystwyth.”

Cabinet member for schools and lifelong learning councillor Wyn Thomas said: “This project is central to our ambition to expand Welsh medium education and ensure more pupils can access high-quality provision locally.

“The new facilities and Language Immersion Centre will support learners at every stage of their journey and help us build a stronger, more sustainable future for the Welsh language in our communities.”

Minister for education and Welsh language Anna Brychan said: “It’s fantastic that the project at Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth, funded through the Welsh-medium Capital Grant, has started.

“I look forward to seeing this investment result in more Welsh-medium places and support for learners who are new to the language by giving them the best opportunity to become independent and confident Welsh speakers. This will contribute towards our goal of at least one million Welsh speakers by 2050.”

The project is fully funded through the Welsh Government’s Welsh-medium Capital Grant Scheme and the new Welsh Language Immersion Centre forms part of Ceredigion County Council’s aim for all schools in Aberystwyth to transition into Welsh-medium foundation learning providers by September 2027.

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