As Wales face Argentina this weekend in the quarter finals of the
Rugby World Cup, Ysgol Llangynwyd in Maesteg is not just
celebrating Wales’s sporting success, with former pupil Dewi Lake
leading the squad, but is also set to benefit from £155,000 for
the refurbishment of their sports facilities.
Ysgol Llangynwyd is to receive £155,000 of Welsh Government’s
community focussed schools funding for a new sports pavilion,
refurbishment of tennis courts and a revamped sports hall. This
will enable further use of the school’s facilities by the local
community.
The school has a close relationship with a number of local sports
clubs, including Yr Urdd, Llan Rangers and Maesteg Park AFC.
From 2023 to 2025, £46m of capital funding will be invested in
schools across Wales in practical infrastructure projects to
create Community Focused Schools. Bridgend alone has received
over £2.3m funding for 21 projects, benefitting up to 49 schools
across the borough.
The funding will support a variety of projects, from outdoor
learning schemes such as forest schools, to community use of
sports facilities and community hubs and kitchens within school
buildings. In addition, parental and community outreach
programmes such as nutrition and skills classes and parent and
child reading sessions will be delivered thanks to the funding.
said:
“Community Focused Schools connect families, schools and
communities together. They build strong relationships with
families, support local communities, and work closely with wider
public services.
“That’s why we are investing £46m to enable schools up and down
the country to use their facilities and resources to benefit the
communities they serve, and improve children’s learning,
aspirations and attendance at school.”
Meurig Jones, headteacher at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd said:
“We are extremely happy to receive additional funding to improve
our sporting facilities.
“The new pavilion will replace the former Maesteg Comprehensive
School facility and enable us to have access to 21st century
facilities close to our new all-weather pitch.
“This will give our successful PE department additional teaching
space and changing facilities and to further build on our
sporting successes, most recently Dewi Lake’s appointment of
joint captain for Wales’ men’s rugby squad at the upcoming Rugby
World Cup.
“The school has a close relationship with local sporting clubs
who will all be able to use these facilities, ensuring that
excellent facilities are available in the Llynfi Valley and for
the Urdd to offer further opportunities through Welsh at evenings
and during school holidays.”
Councillor Jon-Paul Blundell, Cabinet Member for Education at
Bridgend County Borough Council, said:
“Community-focused school funding is supporting a number of local
projects that will promote outdoor learning and encourage greater
health and wellbeing among pupils and local residents.
“This Welsh Government initiative is a fantastic opportunity to
establish closer integration and create stronger links between
families and schools, all while providing communities with access
to a wider range of local facilities.”
New Welsh Government guidance has recently been
published setting out ways community focussed schools can engage
with families, communities and multi-agencies to support the
needs of their learners and families and benefit the wider
community.
Notes to editors
Pupils and teachers at Ysgol Llangynwyd, Maesteg are available
for interview on Thursday 12 October (am) with a rugby PE lesson
filming opportunity.
Community Focused school settings underpins the wider Sustainable
Communities for Learning Programme.
The Welsh Government has invested an additional £40m of capital
funding over financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25 specifically for
Community Focused Schools infrastructure projects throughout
Wales, to provide settings that specifically support family,
community and pupil engagement, and multi-agency working.
Other Community Focussed Schools funding in Bridgend
local authority
- Brynteg Comprehensive School - floodlighting for hockey pitch
- Pencoed Comprehensive School - professional netball graded
pitch, security upgrades and community space improvements
- Cynffig Comprehensive School - the installation of a 3rd
Generation MUGA pitch suitable for football and rugby
- Maesteg Comprehensive School - MUGA and changing room
provision
- Porthcawl Comprehensive School - new installations are
planned for changing room and toilet blocks at their swimming
pool
- Bryntirion Comprehensive School - new gym provision
- The Community Focussed Schools grant has also supported the
Big Box Bwyd initiative with £70,000 and £75,000 to improving
Secondary schools external WiFi Access.
