Redevelopment work starts at St Richard Gwyn High School
The Vale of Glamorgan Council has begun work to redevelop St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School – the last of Barry’s four comprehensive schools to undergo such an upgrade.
Back in 2020, two new school buildings were constructed at Pencoedtre High and Whitmore High, while Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg has been significantly extended.
Each school now boasts ultra-modern classrooms, cutting-edge facilities and top- class equipment.
St Richard Gwyn is set to follow suit as it undergoes extensive improvements, carried out by contractor Morgan Sindall, that will see old buildings replaced with fresh functional spaces, catering for over 1,100 pupils.
Cllr Rhiannon Birch, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Education, Arts and the Welsh Language, said: “The redevelopment of St Richard Gwyn is part of our Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme that has seen similar improvements made to school facilities across the Vale.
“Residents have told us how important schools are to them. They want to see investment in education and this scheme reflects that.
“It follows work at Pencoedtre, Whitmore and Bro Morgannwg, completing the transformation of secondary education in Barry, with pupils across the town now taught in state-of-the-art environments, giving them the very best platform for success.“When combined, these projects represent the most significant regeneration Barry has ever seen and will be followed by the creation of a new Cardiff and Vale College campus at Barry Waterfront.
“There has been plenty of other regeneration work at the waterfront, with historic buildings turned into the Pumphouse and Goodsheds, plans to create a watersports centre at the mole and proposals for the Council’s Dock office to be remodelled into a business incubator space.
“All of this comes alongside extensive upgrading work carried out at Barry Island.”
Work on the new school building is expected to be completed by the end of next year, with the old one completely demolished by December 2028.
External quiet spaces filled with greenery will be created and a cycle shelter with repair station constructed to encourage active travel.
The school hall will feature a full sound system and lighting for performances, while the canteen is complimented by a snack bar offering light meals and drinks.
There will also be provision for children with Additional Learning Needs (ALNs), a 3G sports pitch and Multiuse Games Area which will be available to the school and wider community.
Sustainability is a key feature of the new buildings, which use eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems, maximising the use of solar energy to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels.
This helps to minimise environmental impact in line with the Council’s Project zero commitment to become carbon neutralby 2030.
A green roof made of vegetation will assist with drainage management and provide other ecological benefits.
Meanwhile, work on Ysgol Llyn Derw, a second site for Ysgol y Deri, catering for pupils with special educational needs, continues and is expected to be completed by the summer.