School's delight (From Penarth Times)

School's delight

THE headteacher of a Welsh-speaking Penarth primary school has spoken of her delight at the opening of a new 1million state-of-the-art classroom block - and the possibility of a new school gymnasium to follow.

Iona Edwards, headteacher of Ysgol Pen-y-Garth, on Redlands Road, said: "We will be opening a new teaching block at the beginning of the next academic year.

"This means that we will finally be able to move out of our temporary classrooms and into brand new teaching facilities.

"The new block comprises six classrooms and a group room which will be used for meetings and for group tuition.

"The board of governors has been working towards this for the best part of 15 years.

"We desperately needed the new facilities - the portable classrooms were too hot in summer and too cold in winter, and they lacked an indoor toilet.

"They were also a great drain on resources in terms of maintenance.

"The new building will provide a much better learning environment for our pupils. The extra capacity will also allow us to extend our main hall.

"The school has grown in size dramatically since it opened. Pupil numbers have risen from 100 to 300."

Ysgol Pen-y-Garth is also hopeful of getting a new school sports hall.

An application has been submitted to the Big Lottery for a 50 per cent grant - outline approval has been indicated - to fund half the cost of a proposed 800,000 three-court sports hall.

The Vale council and school are awaiting final lottery approval.

Mrs Edwards added: "If all goes to plan, building will start towards the end of the year.

"It will be used by our many sports clubs which include rugby, soccer, netball, athletics, and cricket.