New Ysgol Treferthyr opens its doors to the children of Cricieth

The new-look Ysgol Treferthyr will open its doors for the first time at the start of the autumn term, thanks to an £8.8 million project by Cyngor Gwynedd to build a new, eco-friendly school which will provide a first class learning environment for the children of Cricieth and the surrounding area. 

 

The whole Ysgol Treferthyr family – including learners, parents, staff, and governors – have been eagerly awaiting this moment, having said goodbye to the old school building, which had reached the end of its life, at the end of the summer term. 

 

The new Ysgol Treferthyr has first-class resources that meet the needs of education and the Curriculum for Wales, such as multi-purpose classrooms, a purpose-built hall for carrying out various activities by the school and the community, as well as playing fields and a multi-sport space. 

 

The new building will also include facilities for early years provision and childcare which will offer education, play and childcare for pre-school children as well as an after-school club for primary aged children. The ABC Centre on the Ysgol Treferthyr site will also offer a space to assess children with additional learning needs.

 

Protecting the environment has been a priority throughout the process of planning and building this eco-friendly school, with green technologies such as air source heat pumps and solar panels powering the building, together with the use of sustainable materials in order to support carbon-free principles. The school also includes electric car charging points and a battery system on site to store and use the power produced. 

 

The Head of Ysgol Treferthyr, Dylan Roberts, said: “We are all looking forward to the next exciting period as we move to Ysgol Treferthyr's new premises. There are great resources here that are suitable for the twenty first century. The pupils are looking forward to settling into their new classes which are named after local rivers in the Eifionydd area. 

 

“As a school we are extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed to getting the school ready. We are extremely lucky to have such a special building for our school. We look forward to providing education and creating unforgettable experiences for the children of Ysgol Treferthyr at our new site." 

 

Councillor Beca Brown, Cyngor Gwynedd's Cabinet Member for Education, said: “I am sure that the pupils of Ysgol Treferthyr and their families are very much looking forward to settling into their new school. The old building was dated and no longer fit for purpose, so I share the excitement of the local community about all the modern resources that are in the new school, and the great educational opportunities that will be available to the pupils. 

 

“I am grateful to everyone who has worked hard to reach this milestone, and I wish the children and all the staff the best in their new school.” 

 

Lynne Neagle AM, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Education said: “It is fantastic we have been able to support this new school. The use of green technology is important to me as by building sustainable schools we’re providing for the future. 

 

“Combined with great teaching and learning, these state-of-the-art facilities can help ensure that our children get the best education possible and I hope it will help the learners and wider community to thrive.”  

 

The new school was jointly funded by Cyngor Gwynedd, the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, the Childcare Offer Capital Programme and Additional Learning Needs, Welsh Government. 

 

The contractors responsible for realising the vision for the school were Wynne Construction, and Andy Lea, Project Manager said: “The site team have done a fantastic job to deliver Ysgol Treferthyr in time for the new academic year, and we hope the pupils and staff enjoy their modern and inspirational school building. 

 

“It’s been brilliant to work closely with Cyngor Gwynedd again as well as the local supply chain and community, where we have strived to leave a lasting legacy through job and training opportunities.” 

 

Video – An opportunity to take a look around the new Ysgol Treferthyr, before the children and the school staff move in: https://youtu.be/Kx9nbkL6_pk?si=wCVqhgMuQpx47HDq  

 

Notes 

An official opening of Ysgol Treferthyr will be held during the autumn term when there will be photo opportunities with pupils, staff, and governors at their new school.