What we did:
The project was a key element of the Modernising Education Programme (MEP) in Carmarthenshire to deliver the provision of future primary education in Llandovery and was supported by Welsh Government’s 21st Century schools programme. Works included the design, remodelling, substantial demolition and complete refurbishment of the existing secondary school buildings, at the former Ysgol Gyfun Pantycelyn School, to cater for 240 primary pupils and a 30-pupil Mudiad Meithrin provision. The project achieved the Considerate Constructor Beyond Compliance Certificate.
Client:
Carmarthenshire County Council (South West Wales Regional Contractors Framework).
Works completed:
- Extensive internal and external remodelling and refurbishment of existing buildings to improve the environment for pupils, teachers and other staff
- Associated infrastructure, drainage and car parking works
Key things we had to consider:
- There were various constraints associated with the site and its surrounding amenities due to its location in a residential area of the town. The school was situated next to the local swimming pool and close to the fire station, hospital and GP surgery. The site’s boundaries also ran along the railway track and rear access for the residents. The constraints were managed and overcome through the adoption of robust health, safety and operational process which were agreed, communicated to and continually reviewed with the school’s management team, leisure centre staff and neighbouring residents.
Building standards we worked to:
- LABC (Local Authority Building Control)
Community benefits from the building:
- Improved learning environment for the children, including outdoor learning and play areas
- Improved working environment for the teachers and other school staff
- Increased safety as a result of better access to the school, new parking and drop off and collection points
Community benefits from the project:
- We supported local suppliers and businesses during the contract period
- Met the needs of the wider community through the provision of additional leisure facilities within the building
- Provided improved indoor and outdoor space to deliver and enhance the Foundation Phase Curriculum and play opportunities for all pupils
- Improved environment for pupils, teachers and other school staff
- Improved access to the school along with parking and drop off/pick up areas due to the site’s location on a busy residential road with minimal parking facilities
- Met current and future demand for pupil places at the school
Employment, work experience and training:
- 7 new entrant employment opportunities for a total of 678 weeks
- 10 apprenticeships for a total of 293 weeks
- 10 in-education work experience placements
- 4 not-in-education work experience placements
- 167 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill for reuse or recycling.
- 87% of waste diverted from landfill.
- We helped pupils and staff plant trees donated by Natural Resources Wales.
- We made Christmas decorations for the pupils to decorate and sell at their Christmas Fair from recycled content.
Contract value:
£4.2M
Duration:
87 weeks
Completion:
February 2021
Employment, work experience and training:
- 7 new entrant employment opportunities for a total of 678 weeks
- 10 apprenticeships for a total of 293 weeks
- 10 in-education work experience placements
- 4 not-in-education work experience placements
Local economy:
- 100% of the workforce from the SA postcode area
- 83% of the total project spend in Wales
Fair payment targets achieved:
100%
“Dear Kevin, Thank you very much for the hard work the company has undertaken at our new school during the course of the last year. Thanks to Rhodri for being excellent last Friday in taking the pupils and staff around the school. Everyone is extremely excited now in preparation for February. Thank you as a company for the gifts for the children. ”
Edward Davies
/
Headmaster, Ysgol Rhys Prichard