Cyngor Gwynedd appoints architects for new £12m school

Architects Aimee Jones and Matthew Roberts from TACP visiting Ysgol Bontnewydd and speaking to Councillor Menna Trenholme; Gareth Jones, headteacher; and some of the pupils.

An exciting project to re-develop the school and community resources in Bontnewydd has taken a significant step forward as Cyngor Gwynedd has appointed the architects who will design the new buildings.

Representatives from Wrexham-based TACP Architects had the opportunity to meet the school family during a recent visit, allowing them to see first-hand what the needs of pupils, staff and community are as work on the £12 million scheme gains momentum. 

During their visit to Ysgol Bontnewydd, the architects had the opportunity to hear from pupils what they would like to see in their new school and to discuss the needs of school staff with the headteacher. Input from the whole school and users of the community centre will be vital for the building design and a series of meetings to discuss ideas will be held early in the new term.

Bydd mewnbwn yr ysgol gyfan a defnyddwyr y ganolfan gymunedol yn allweddol i ddyluniad yr adeilad a bydd cyfres o gyfarfodydd efo’r penseiri yn cael eu cynnal yn fuan yn y tymor newydd i drafod syniadau.

This is not the first time the architects have spoken to the children, as the pupils had the opportunity to be part of the appointment process. Over the coming months, the planning, design and construction of the new school will be a golden opportunity for the children to learn about these sectors and to open their eyes to the possibilities of a career in technical fields from a young age. 

One of the cornerstones of the new school will be its eco-friendly ethos. This will be evident during the building phase with a view to re-using as much as possible of the original school and community centre materials whilst reducing the building's carbon life cycle and new resources. Then, when the new school is open, the building will be net zero in terms of its greenhouse gas emissions making use of renewable energy, efficient insulation and encouraging sustainable travel.

Aimee Jones from TACP Architects said: “We are delighted to be appointed to deliver this exemplar project and look forward to working with the school, community, local authority and all other successfully appointed consultants to realise this innovative scheme. We are particularly excited about working with the school learners to ensure that we collectively deliver a building in the community that they will be proud of for many years to come.

Councillor Menna Trenholme, Cyngor Gwynedd Member for Bontnewydd, added:

"It was wonderful to welcome the architects to Bontnewydd today and it was a great opportunity for us to start discussing our wishes for the school and community resources with them. It was great to get the children’s input and I look forward to further opportunities to work together into the future.

"Although the old school is a happy place which is close to all our hearts, there is no doubt that everyone is really looking forward to seeing the plans take shape and the new school built. I'm pleased the new school will be bigger and will boast facilities and a learning environment fitting to today’s requirements.

"I'm also pleased that there will be an opportunity for the children to learn about sustainability and architecture throughout the project."

The Welsh Government is providing all funding for the construction of the new school following Cyngor Gwynedd’s successful bid in the Sustainable Schools Challenge. It is one of only three schools throughout Wales, and the only one in the north, to have secured this investment.

Jeremy Miles MS, Welsh Government Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, said:

“I am delighted that the new Ysgol Bontnewydd building is progressing so well thanks to £12m of funding from our Sustainable Schools Challenge.

“What better way to embed our commitments towards reducing carbon emissions and tackling climate change, than for children, staff and communities to help with the design, build and management of this new zero carbon learning environment.”

Detailed plans for the new school will be developed over the coming months and further discussions will be held with the whole community, with the hope that construction will start in 2024 and the new school opening in 2026.