Secured by Design National Award

Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn Y Forwyn school in Ferndale, designed and built by Wynne Construction has been recognised for its commitment to creating a safe and secure environment for pupils, staff, and the wider community.

The project secured the ATLAS best educational development accolade at the Secured by Design (SBD) national awards. SBD is the official police security initiative that promotes crime prevention through effective design and layout.

The success highlights the collaborative approach taken throughout the £16m development, with security and wellbeing embedded into the design process from the outset to create a modern learning environment that supports both education and community use.

Since opening in January 2025, there have been no reported crimes on site.

Appointed by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council on a design and build contract, Wynne Construction progressed the scheme in line with SBD and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles.

Located on a former Chubb factory industrial estate, the proposed layout presented various challenges, one of which was ensuring the hall was available for community use whilst still maximising the security of the main school.

Working in close partnership with South Wales Police’s Design Out Crime Officers (DOCOs), Wynne created a separate access route to reduce this risk and installed street lighting on the zig-zag pedestrian path to boost visibility after plans to fit bollard lights were revised.

A steel-framed ramp was also built to promote safe walking and cycling, as well as a dedicated drop-off/pick-up car park for parents and carers to manage traffic in the surrounding area and maintain a flow of movement to the school, which sits in a steep valley.

Wynne Construction director Richard Wynne said: “From the outset, we recognised that creating a safe and secure learning environment was fundamental to the school’s long-term success, particularly given its role as a key community asset.

“Working in close partnership with the Design Out Crime Officer (DOCO), Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, the project architect, and landscape architect, we facilitated a series of regular, structured design workshops.

“Key aspects of the design were rigorously tested, not only for its effectiveness in reducing opportunities for crime and anti-social behaviour, but also for its practicality, buildability and long-term maintenance implications.”

Thanks to Wynne Construction’s expertise, the completed structure also achieved a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) rating of ‘Excellent’.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s cabinet member for education and young people, Councillor Sharon Rees, said: “Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn y Forwyn continues to be an invaluable addition to Ferndale and its surrounding areas, providing first-class Welsh Medium facilities in a safe environment.

“Ensuring this is a secure site for pupils and staff was a key priority in the development’s design – keeping this clearly in mind as we also provide on-site facilities for the wider community.

“I’d like to thank South Wales Police and contractor Wynne Construction for their dedication in this area, and I’m pleased this aspect of the project has been recognised for its excellence.”

Rhomco project manager Karen Wilson said: “Working on the Llyn y Forwyn School as Project Manager for Rhomco, but also as a parent it felt vital that all the advice and recommendations received through the SBD process were incorporated into the scheme throughout design and construction to provide the safest place possible.”

Arcadis Architects principal architect Carys Fisher said: “I am immensely proud that YGG Llyn y Forwyn has been recognised with a Secured by Design award.

“From the outset, the design team worked closely with the Designing Out Crime Officer to embed effective crime prevention strategies into the design, promoting natural surveillance and secure layouts, even on a challenging site, while always balancing security with the wellbeing and child-friendly environment essential for pupils, staff, and the local community.

“This approach ensured that the school is not only safe and secure, but also welcoming and supportive for all who use it.”

South Wales Police designing out crime officer, Joy Nicholls, who confirmed the school met the SBD standards, said: “This is a really good example of how SBD can be incorporated into a development, making the school a safe and secure space for pupils, staff and visitors.” Fellow South Wales Police designing out crime officer Julie Odgers, added: “It was a pleasure to work with our partners on this exciting project, and after lots of meetings it is very satisfying to be able to see Llyn y Forwyn school has met Secured by Design standards.”

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