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A £9m rebuild of Plasyfelin School in Churchill Park has moved a step closer after Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet agreed to hold a consultation into the plans.
The cabinet also agreed to hold a consultation into proposals for a new pupil referral unit in Pontllanfraith, as well as the potential merger between Nelson’s Llanfabon Infants School and Llancaeach Junior School.
It was all agreed at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, October 13.
The plans would see Playsfelin School demolished, with a larger school built in its place due to a growing demand for places.
The new school could provide 420 places, as well as nursery provision and multi-use sporting and community facilities.
Of the £9m, the council would cover 35% of this, while the Welsh Government would fund the rest.
Morgan Jones ward councillor Shayne Cook, who is a governor and former pupil at the school, said the rebuild would be a “welcome investment for future years to come.”
Meanwhile, a new £5.5m pupil referral unit could be created at the former Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School, which would be refurbished.
The ‘Centre for Vulnerable Learners’ would support those with additional learning needs (ALN).
Pupils who are referred to pupil referral unit often need greater care and support than their school is able to provide.
Elsewhere, the £4m Nelson school merger would see Llanfabon Infants School expanded and refurbished. The site will then house both the infants school and Llancaeach Junior School.
In total, the combined school would have 275 pupil places, as well as a nursery.
The proposals are part of the 21st Century Schools programme, which is a Welsh Government programme aimed at improving schools and other education settings across Wales.
The council said the three projects would help the authority work towards its decarbonisation targets.
Councillor Ross Whiting, the council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “I am thrilled that post-Cabinet approval we have been able to secure the funding to press ahead with the consultation stage of these projects.
“We have a proven track record of developing state of the art facilities for our learners to improve, achieve and feel inspired, and I have no doubt that we will once again rise to the challenge.
He added: “We have bold ambitions to provide every learner with the best life chances and we are committed to doing this through the provision of high quality teaching, learning and leadership across our school settings.”
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