Work to transform the closed St Ilan School in Caerphilly into a new Welsh language school has been welcomed by councillors.
On Tuesday, councillors were presented with a report about work at the site of the former comprehensive school.
Cllr Rhianon Passmore, cabinet member for education and lifelong learning, said: “It is very pleasing to see that work is on track at the site, and that the first phase of these ambitious proposals is becoming a reality.
“This development scheme will help ensure that we are able to continue to accommodate the increasing demand for Welsh medium education in our county borough for many years to come, and I look forward greatly to seeing works continue to progress over the coming months.
“I shall also request that Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni’s governing body considers a formal name for the former St Ilan site.”
The council is developing the Caerphilly town site into a campus for pupils aged between three and 16. Some post-16 classes will also be taught on the new campus.
The county borough currently only has one Welsh medium secondary school – Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni in Fleur de Lys.
Forecasts have shown there will be an overcapacity of almost 1,000 pupils by 2021.
In January this year, councillors voted to spend £3.5m to begin work on the first phase of the project. Year 7 pupils living in the Caerphilly basin will start at the new school in September 2013.
Permission has also been granted for a four court sports hall and changing facilities on the site as part of the development programme.
Consultation on the next phase of works will take place during the Autumn Term 2012.
I'm glad this is going through, but why the name change? Surely 'Ysgol Sant Ilan' would suffice and keep with its former history?
How old was the name St Ilans Comprehensive, late 1970s? harfdly historic.