Works Underway on Brand New Additional Learning Needs School in Clydach Vale

Morgan Sindall Construction’s Wales business has commenced works on the new Clydach Additional Learning Needs (ALN) School in Clydach Vale, designed to achieve net zero carbon in operation.

Appointed by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council to lead the project, the school will cater for learners aged 3-19, providing English medium ALN facilities for 176 learners.

The £37M state-of-the-art school has been awarded through Sewscap 3 Framework and is due to be complete by Autumn 2026. The project has been jointly funded by the Welsh Government through its Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council which aims to transform the learning experience of learners, ensuring they are taught in classrooms with the technologies and facilities needed to support the delivery of the Curriculum for Wales.

Set across a modern two-storey building, the project includes the construction of 23 classroom spaces, a wellbeing centre, canteen, various multi-use spaces and supporting areas across the two floors, and a hydrotherapy pool on the ground floor. Externally, plans include a secure roof terrace at the building’s southern side, with outdoor learning and play areas positioned around the school.

Additionally, the team will build a 79-space car park with EV charging points, a drop-off/pick-up area, along with covered storage for bicycles. And to uphold the area’s flourishing habitat, all trees and woodland surrounding the site will be retained and the entire school site will be enclosed by an appropriate secure boundary fencing.

The new net zero school is designed to conform to Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and the Welsh Government’s Climate Change commitments, as well as Morgan Sindall’s own dedication to sustainability. To power the net zero carbon in operation building, the project team will mount solar photovoltaic panels on the roof and install a sustainable drainage system.

Throughout construction, Morgan Sindall will implement its tailored social value plan, delivering activities and initiatives that benefit local people and communities. In doing so, the project team will work with Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Counicil’s Employment, Education, and Training team, delivering training opportunities and creating jobs for local people. The tier one contractor will also implement a Morgan Sindall Knowledge Quad on site, creating a multi-purpose space for educational and community engagement.

Rob Williams, Area Director for Morgan Sindall in Wales, said:

It’s an absolute pleasure to begin the construction of this brand new, state-of-the-art school in partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council. Our work will support the next generation of learners with ALN with specialised high quality educational facilities such as the hydrotherapy pool and wellbeing centre.

We very much look forward to progressing works on site and engaging with the wider Clydach Vale community.”

Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said:

I’m delighted to see the works commencing on site at Clydach Vale. Considerable capacity pressures are currently being experienced across our four existing ALN schools, and these are only expected to grow in the future. This is why we agreed to provide a fifth ALN school for the County Borough as we look to provide extra capacity.

The new ALN school in Clydach Vale will be accessible to all, catering for a wider range of needs and providing an innovative and engaging 21st Century learning environment. This continues our excellent recent track record of investment, which has over recent years delivered brand new school buildings right across Rhondda Cynon Taf.

I’m looking forward to seeing this exciting project develop, and meet the needs of some of our youngest residents.”

ENDS