Learning through play and activity for the youngest children at Pontarddulais Primary School has been given a massive boost with the construction of a new Early Years classroom block.
The £500,000 fit for purpose unit was funded by the Welsh Assembly Government’s School Building Improvement Grant and Sprinklers in Schools Grant with some funding from the Council’s Capital programme and from a Developers Contribution (Section 106).
It includes enhanced spacious classrooms, a wet area and underfloor heating and has been specifically designed for teaching the Foundation Phase.
Pontarddulais Headteacher Jonathan Meade said:
“Young children are given more opportunities to learn through play and active involvement rather than by completing exercises in books.
“The new fit for purpose teaching block comprises a new large open plan teaching area which is ideal for Foundation Phase learning at Pontarddulais Primary School.
“Also included in the development was the refurbishment of other connected classroom areas. The new build and remodelled areas will now form an integrated Early Years environment within the school.”
Other features of the new unit include new toilet facilities, a sprinkler system for fire protection and an underfloor heating system. Environmental sustainability was an important element of the new building and has been demonstrated by the inclusion of energy efficient measures such as high efficiency boilers and automatic lighting controls.
Cllr Mike Day, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said:
“The Council’s QEd 2020 programme is about targeted investment in school buildings from sources such as Assembly Government grants, our own capital budgets and, in this case, funding from developers.
“This project demonstrates our commitment to improving learning environments for all pupils and to equip them for a changing and modern curriculum.”
Huw Jones, Project Officer with Swansea Council, said:
“Our team is happy to have fulfilled our brief to create a nursery and reception unit fit for the 21st century which would have a demonstrable positive impact on pupils’ learning.
“We’re delighted to see the youngsters enjoying their new learning environment and would like to thank the school for their cooperation during the construction period.”
The school will be officially opened on Friday July 9 at 4.30pm.
