Work begins on new home for Ysgol Ein Harglwyddes Bangor

Pupils from Ysgol Ein Harglwyddes, Bangor had the opportunity to be part of a short ceremony to mark the start of the construction phase of their new school on the former Glanadda site in the city.

 

The event was an opportunity for a number of organisations involved with the school to come together to celebrate that work is starting on the £8 million-plus project to build a brand new school, with modern resources, which will give the children the best start in educational life.

 

The new school will offer Catholic education to the children of Bangor and surrounding area.

 

The scheme has major environmental benefits – building the school on a brownfield site, where the old Ysgol Glanadda stood, will lessen the environmental impact significantly. The new school will also make the best use of green technology.

 

The ceremony was attended by representatives from organisations which play key roles in the Ysgol Ein Harglwyddes community, including – Bishop Peter M. Brignall, Roman Catholic Diocese of Wrexham; Headteacher and Chair of Governors of Ysgol Ein Harglwyddes; Councillors Beca Brown and Gareth A Roberts, members of Cyngor Gwynedd; Councillor Gareth Parry, Mayor of Bangor City.

 

They were joined by officers from Cyngor Gwynedd’s Housing and Property and Education Departments and Read Construction, which has won the contract to carry out the construction work. This provided an opportunity to explain more about the project and what the benefits will be to pupils and the wider community.

 

The new school building itself will be built thanks to £7.7 million investment, 85% of the budget coming from the Welsh Government's Sustainable Learning Communities Programme, and the remaining 15% from the Catholic Diocese of Wrexham.

 

In addition, £700,000 has been secured from the Welsh Government's Childcare and Early Years Capital Programme to include an Early Years Unit on the new school site.

 

Gwern ap Rhisiart, Cyngor Gwynedd Head of Education, said: “I am delighted that work on the new school is beginning. The new-look Ysgol Ein Harglwyddes will provide modern facilities for children from Bangor and the nearby area, and allow them to reach their full potential.

 

“I am looking forward to seeing the children enjoy their new school, which will include six classrooms with access to external space, a hall, kitchen and multipurpose room. The outside area will have a hard area for play, a multi-use games area and a grass playing field.

 

“Although the old building was homely and historic, I am confident the pupils, their families and learning staff will love the new school.”

 

The Rt. Rev’d Peter M Brignall, Bishop of the Diocese of Wrexham, said: “I am delighted that today marks a significant point in the building of the new Catholic Primary School in Bangor. After many years in the coming, Ysgol Ein Harglwyddes will have the new school building for which we have longed.

 

“The partnership of Welsh Government, the Diocese of Wrexham and Cyngor Gwynedd in giving a new lease of life to the old Ysgol Glanadda site frees Ysgol Ein Harglwyddes from the constraints of its existing mid-Victorian building, poor access and limited facilities.

 

“I look forward to the day the new school opens its doors to provide a 21st century learning environment and educational opportunities indoors and out.”

 

Mrs Aimee Jones, headteacher of Ysgol Ein Harglwyddes, said: “On behalf of all the staff and previous headteachers of Ysgol Ein Harglwyddes, I would like to share our joy as we mark the beginning of our new school building project.

“Current and past staff and governors, along with the many pupils and parents who have passed through the school gates will look back with fond memories of their time in our current building.

“However, we are very excited to see the construction of our new school underway and look forward to starting a new chapter, providing our future generations with the best Catholic education, in a modern, purpose build environment which has been longed, for many years.

“We would like to thank Saer (architects) for their collaboration and allowing us to offer our input into the initial stages of design. We are committed to bringing our strong history, inclusive, caring and family centered ethos across to our new site.”

Alex Read, Director of Read Construction, said: “Read are excited to be working in partnership with Cyngor Gwynedd to deliver this new, purpose-built school that will enhance the learning environment for pupils at Ysgol Ein Harglwyddes.

 

“This modern, 21st Century facility has sustainability at its core, and is designed to meet the Welsh Government’s Net Zero carbon requirements. Throughout the build we will work with the school and the community to ensure the project delivers added value to the local area.”

It is anticipated that work on the new Ysgol Ein Harglwyddes will be complete ready for the 2026 summer term.