Delayed new £9.1m school plans could move forward

Plans for a new £9.1m school near Kerry are still ongoing after Powys County Council said it was waiting for its Cabinet to give the green light.

A full business case to build a new school that the council says will transform education for vulnerable learners in Powys could be submitted to the Welsh Government if given the go-ahead by the council’s Cabinet.

Brynllywarch School, near Kerry, currently operates out of an old building. Plans had been put forward nearly two years ago for the new school, but the council entered problems with external contractors working on the project.
  
The school, located in Kerry near Newtown, provides education for pupils from 8 to 19-year-olds, with a wide range of complex emotional, behavioural and social difficulties.

A statement said: "The full business case will be reviewed by the council’s Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, January 16 before being considered by Cabinet on Tuesday, 4 February.
 
"Cabinet will be told that the funding required for the replacement school would be £12.7m with 75% of funding coming from the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. The remaining 25% would be funded by the council."
 
If the full business case is approved by Cabinet, it will be submitted to the Welsh Government for their approval.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “The existing Brynllywarch Hall building no longer offers a suitable environment for the teaching and support requirements of pupils with significant behavioural, emotional or social difficulties.
 
“The new school for Brynllywarch would provide an environment where teaching staff can thrive and provide pupils with the facilities that enable their needs to be met their needs giving them a more enjoyable and fulfilling educational experience.
 
“If the full business case is approved by both Cabinet and Welsh Government, this would represent another huge investment in our school infrastructure.”
 
When completed, the council will have delivered a purpose-built community focused school for pupils in age-appropriate environments which will include:
 
Specialist support and provision to pupils with challenging behaviour, emotional and social difficulties in a modern and innovative learning environment
Appropriate learning spaces to deliver the new national curriculum.

Specialist equipment, including IT facilities, to support teaching and learning outcomes which will help to ensure all learners maximise their potential
A fully equipped class base, with breakout space and hygiene facilities, together with an individual outdoor learning area.
 
Community groups will also be able to access the facilities out of school hours.