6 year wait – but results are amazing

Teachers and staff welcomed pupils to their first morning in their new school as Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng opened its doors.

Following a six year wait during the planning and development stage as well as an 18-month long construction process, the Welshpool primary school finally welcomed students to their new school building on May 2.

The 150-place Welsh medium primary school is now open to students after a large scale project that involved refurbishing and redeveloping the historic Ysgol Maesydre building, a Grade 2 listed property, to accommodate early years and community facilities linking it with the new extension.

At the new school’s first morning assembly, Headteacher Angharad Davies said:

“This new building represents us and has helped create our vision for what this school can be.

“I’ve spoken to so many people who have said that Ysgol Maesydre brings back memories for them, and with a new school at this location it allows our pupils to be a part of that shared history in that old building.

“I can’t believe how lucky I am to be head of this wonderful school, where we celebrate that nobody is perfect, and everyone is different.”

Lindsey Phillips, Chair of Governors for the school, added:

“It’s quite hard to believe we are here now, in a building that will enhance an already amazing school at the cutting edge of the education establishment.

“It’s been worth all the struggle over the past seven years to be able stand in front of everyone today and say enjoy the new school.”

The project was first announced in 2017, backed by the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.

Construction began in November 2021 when Wynne Construction were appointed to the role by Powys County Council and was completed in April 2023.

Commenting on their new school, pupils Millie Owen and Gwen Phillips said their favourite parts of the new building were the bigger classrooms.

They said:

“It’s amazing, and it’s taken a lot of work with lots of trips down to move every little piece.

“The teachers moved boxes down and we got to decide where they went within the classrooms, which makes it feel like how the school was put together.

“It’s so much bigger than the only thing we’re worried about is getting lost.”

Source: Country Times