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Ysgol Glanrafon new extension hits major milestone

Published: 21/05/2021

Staff and pupils have signed their names into the annals of one of Mold’s primary schools, as a major stage of the new extension is completed and part of the redevelopment starts to take shape.

Pupils and staff at Ysgol Glanrafon, along with members of Flintshire County Council, have written their names onto a number of the structured insulated panels (SIPs) which will make up the £4m extension and remodelling scheme being built by Wynne Construction.

The Bodelwyddan-based company, which was appointed by Flintshire County Council, has been on site since December. 

The completion of the SIP installation marks a key milestone for the project, with construction of the new main extension which will house six new classrooms planned for completion by October with the overall project finishing by February 2022.

Through Wynne Construction’s ‘fabric-first’ approach, the SIPs, which make up the wall and roof panels of the building, have been manufactured offsite within factory conditions.

The panels allow for rapid erection of the structure in a manner which is cost and energy efficient.

Bryn Roberts, site manager for Wynne Construction, said: “By signing the panels, pupils and teachers will be able to keep this moment in their memory and add to the history of the school going forward.

“It’s quite enjoyable for the children at the moment seeing the work go up.

“The next phase will see the roofing and windows added onto the building before we begin work on the inside.

“We would like to thank the children, staff, parents and local residents for their patience and understanding while we deliver this project.”

Alongside the extension, Wynne Construction will also refurbish and enhance the existing school building as well as construct a purpose-built pre-school provision on the site of the Welsh medium school on Bryn Coch Lane.

The new classrooms and facilities will allow the school’s capacity to increase and is funded through a Welsh Government Welsh Medium Capital grant.

Flintshire County Council’s Leader and Cabinet Member for Education and Youth, Councillor Ian Roberts, said: “This milestone means we are one step closer to reaching our ambition to improve the number of fluent Welsh speakers in the region via education and I look forward to viewing the finished school upon completion.

“The signing is a great way for Ysgol Glanrafon’s children to etch their name into the history books and in a small part contribute to something which will remain here for a long time.”

Olwen Corben, head teacher at Ysgol Glanrafon, said: “It is a very exciting time at the school, seeing more progress made every day and the building is just flying up.

“Looking at the design come to fruition has really enhanced what we will be getting with the new development.”

The project has been identified by Welsh Government as one likely to assist with their target of a million Welsh speakers by 2050.