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Construction work on a new “state of the art” Welsh-medium primary school on the site of the former Cwmcarn High School is now underway.

The new school will replace the current Ysgol Gymraeg Cwm Gwyddon, in Abercarn.

The new predominantly single storey building will have a capacity for 420 pupils and 94 nursery infants.

Part of the development will be built on Cwmcarn High School’s former car park and playing field.

Approximately 132 car parking spaces are proposed in the development – including four disabled spaces and 61 reserved for drop-offs and pick-ups.

Ysgol Gymraeg Cwm Gwyddon is due to open to pupils at its new site in September 2023.

Planning permission was approved back in January. In June this year, Port Talbot-based contractor Andrew Scott Ltd was chosen by Caerphilly County Borough Council to build the new school.

The development is being jointly funded by the council and the Welsh Government as part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning scheme, which was previously known as the 21st Century Schools programme.

In a press release, the council said: “The site will boast modern and light teaching spaces, improved vehicle and pedestrian access and extensive outdoor learning and play space for the school and wider community provision.”

Councillor Carol Andrews, the council’s cabinet member for Education, said: “This is a very exciting time for Ysgol Gymraeg Cwm Gwyddon, and we are very much looking forward to seeing their school community grow.

“The new building will further enhance and improve the learning environment for both the staff and pupils.”

Helen Marsh, who is the school’s acting headteacher, said the school community was “incredibly excited to see the work begin”.

Ms Marsh continued: “We look forward to sharing the progress with the pupils now and as it develops further.

“The future of Ysgol Cwm Gwyddon is exciting – a new curriculum and a new school which will enable us to make the very best of the new surroundings.”

Additional reporting by the Local Democracy Reporting Service