New Welsh medium primary school planned for Wrexham

A new Welsh medium primary school with capacity for 210 pupils could be up and running in Wrexham by 2019.

In a report due before the Executive Board next week it is proposed that a consultation is launched with relevant parties regarding creation of a new Welsh medium Primary school in Wrexham.

The proposals have been put forward to help meet the growing demand for Welsh medium education in the area.

As Wrexham.com has previously reported the demand for Welsh medium education in the country borough has often surpassed the places available in the local primary schools.

In May 2017 RhAG (Rhieni dros Addysg Gymraeg) – a society campaigning on behalf of parents wishing their children to receive Welsh medium education – stated that a number of parents were left devastated at their child not being offered a place in the desired school.

In several cases this left families having siblings in two different schools.

Now in an attempt to help meet the growing demand, plans have been put forward to create a new Welsh medium primary school which would accommodate 210 pupils.

Details in next week’s report state that initially a ‘seed school’ with places for 105 pupils (15 pupils per group) would be based at the site of the former Hafod Y Wern school in Caia Park.

It is also proposed that Wrexham Council finalise the amalgamation of Borras Infants and Junior schools by moving all pupils into the current junior site. The infant school site will then be improved and opened as a new Welsh-medium school. The school would accommodate 210 pupils (30 pupils per year group).

The first year of entry would be September 2019 for nursery (15 places) and reception (15 places) classes only.

Speaking about the proposals, lead member for education Cllr Phil Wynn, said: “It is my pleasure to present this report to Executive Board.

“The opportunity has arisen to address the anticipated increased demand for Welsh-medium primary places using existing school estate stock whilst waiting on approval from the Welsh Government for our submitted 21st Century schools Band B funding bid, which does not begin until April 2019.

“Once approved, the consultation will go ahead with stakeholders whose views I am sure will help us formulate the best way forward.”

If the report is approved by members, the consultation will take place between 26th September 2017 and 7th November 2017.

The report will be presented to the Executive Board at 10am on Tuesday 14th September. The meeting will also be webcast live on the Wrexham Council website.

Pictured – Ysgol Bro Alun in Gwersyllt which opened in 2013.