Pupil number increase at Gwersyllt Welsh-medium school given the go ahead

Pupil capacity at a Welsh-medium school is to increase to help meet the growing demand in Wrexham.

Executive board members unanimously backed proposals to create an extension at Ysgol Bro Alun, Gwersyllt, to accommodate a further 105 pupils.

Plans to expand the £5.9 million school were unveiled in summer 2018 in a bid to increase the number of Welsh-medium primary school places available in Wrexham.

The school opened in 2013 and currently has provision for 210 pupils. However over the years there has been criticism from some parents after their child was refused a place in their desired Welsh medium primary school.

However under the increase approved this morning, the annual admission number will increase by 15 places (from 30 to 45) for nursery and reception places from 2019 onwards and these classes will feed through the school until the maximum capacity of 315 (plus 45 nursery places) has been reached.

Speaking today Cllr Phil Wynn, lead member for education, said it was a pleasure to present the report to councillors and that no objections to the proposals had been received during a recent statutory notice period.

A capital investment of £1.3 million from Welsh Government to allow building work has been secured , along with a separate grant to provide ‘wrap around child care provision’.

Cllr Wynn added that extending the school will reduce the possibility of first preference refusals to the school and it will also address refusals that could be based on grounds of nearest suitable school places being over subscribed.

Seconding the report Cllr Hugh Jones, deputy council leader, said the plans increases the opportunity for parents who choose to have their child’s education through Welsh.

A planning application for the extension will be submitted to planning at a later date.