Council-backed plans for major investment in two Swansea secondary schools move forward

Swansea Council’s Cabinet is being asked to approve the next phase of work, which would see outdated classrooms and facilities at Gowerton School replaced, alongside refurbishment and upgrades to other areas of the site. The improvements aim to deliver significantly enhanced spaces for learning, sport, recreation and wider community use.

Cabinet members are also considering funding for the detailed design and pre-construction phase, with contractors expected to work closely with pupils, staff, governors and the wider community to shape the final plans.

Separately, the Council is progressing plans for a brand new Bishop Vaughan Catholic School, to be built on the site of the former Daniel James Community School in Mynyddbach. Existing buildings on the site — including those previously occupied by YGG Tirdeunaw — would be demolished next year, with construction of the new school potentially completed within five years.

The new Bishop Vaughan campus would offer state-of-the-art facilities and vocational learning opportunities for both pupils and the wider community. Pupils and staff will remain at the current site throughout the build, with no disruption to learning.

Cabinet members are also being asked to approve a land swap with the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia, alongside potential changes to lease arrangements associated with the site.

Robert Smith, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “In Swansea we are seeing record investment in our school buildings with more than £400m earmarked to create state-of-the-art facilities to give pupils the best possible support to reach their full potential.

“Many of our secondary schools have already benefitted from investment and I’m pleased that our plans for Gowerton and Bishop Vaughan are progressing, as is investment at Ysgol Gyfun Bryn Tawe. Thousands more pupils will benefit from these latest projects for many years to come.”

Both projects are part of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, and will be built to net zero operational carbon targets. Contractors will be expected to create work and apprenticeship opportunities, and source materials and services locally under the council’s Beyond Bricks and Mortar policy.

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City centre project creates new work opportunities

The Kier Group workforce and sub-contractors attached to Swansea Council’s Y Storfa project number up to around 45 every day.

Among them – helped into work by council community benefits initiative Beyond Bricks and Mortar – are a number of workers hired by the firm in the early days of the scheme.

Once complete, the council say Y Stofa will be a key part of its £1bn regeneration of Swansea, and will be a gathering place and a source of information for people across the city.

Trainee site manager Jack Shaddick is a Kier degree apprentice studying construction management.

He said: “I’m proud to be working on such an important building in my home city

“Every day is different in my role – there’s never the same problem to solve, the same task to complete or even the same project to work on.

“There’s a wide variety of jobs in the construction industry so I’m excited to be part of it.”

Jack is a student at Sheffield Hallam University.

Architectural engineering university student Joe Eynon is on a 12-month placement with Kier, specialising in design management.

He said: “I was attracted to the construction industry because it offers the ability to make towns and cities more inviting and environmentally friendly.

“My role with Kier has allowed me to make a real-life impact on the Y Storfa project.”

Joe is a student at Plymouth University.

Andy Gough, of Swansea, is a labourer, traffic marshal and hoist operator.

His previous experience included warehouse and factory work.

He said: “After being unemployed for around seven months, this Y Storfa opportunity is having a great positive impact on my life.

“I’ve been able to broaden my skillset and I’m being treated really well by everybody here – the Kier workforce is really supportive.”

Council cabinet member Elliott King, said: “It’s great to see new work opportunities coming as a result of Beyond Bricks and Mortar linking in with our fantastic Y Storfa development.

“It illustrates our holistic approach to regeneration, allowing local communities to benefit from physical regeneration projects, particularly getting people into work.

“I thank Kier, our main contractors on Y Storfa, working with us to create a number of new posts to help them deliver Y Storfa on our behalf.”

Ian Rees, regional director at Kier, said: “We are incredibly proud of the team we have working on Y Storfa.

“The team has a great mix of experienced individuals and those learning their trade with us, as well as varied background which have all contributed to the project’s success so far.

“It’s fantastic to hear that we are having such a positive impact on the lives of people in the area and will endeavour to continue doing so.”

The council say Y Storfa, in the former BHS store at the corner of Oxford Street and Princess Way, is on course for completion this year.

Council-run services based there will include the contact centre, Housing Options, lifelong learning and the main public library and new children’s library, as well as the West Glamorgan Archive Service and other useful resources.

Non-council tenants at Y Storfa are set to include the Swansea office of Careers Wales, the main base of Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot, and Swansea University’s South Wales Miners’ Library.

The council say it will encourage footfall for local businesses as the council continues its £1bn regeneration programme.

Council leader Rob Stewart said: “Y Storfa will be a fantastic location for people from across the city to access key services, to meet and the spend quality free time.

“It’ll be at the heart of our regeneration drive, standing next to Castle Square which is due to receive a greener new look.

“It’s great to see progress being made on our repurposing of this very large city centre site for public services.

“This area of the city centre is being transformed with a great mix of public and private sector investment.

“Castle Gardens is going to be greener and more welcoming, there are plans for new homes above McDonald’s, and new homes and businesses at the former Castle Cinema.”

(Lead image: Members of the Kier Group workforce at the Swansea city centre Y Storfa project include, from left, Jack Shaddick, Joe Eynon and Andy Goug) (Image: Swansea Council)

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