18 July 2022

A programme which will transform education in Powys has today been relaunched, the county council has announced.

Powys County Council’s Transforming Education Programme was relaunched by Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys at reception held at Tŵr Brycheiniog on the first day of the Royal Welsh Show (Monday, 18 July).

As part of the relaunch, an updated version of the council’s Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys will be published as well as information about the activity which will take place during Wave Two of the programme, which will run from 2022 to 2027.

The strategy, which was developed in response to Estyn’s inspection of the council’s Education Services in 2019 and with input from a wide range of stakeholders, was originally launched in April 2020.

The strategy has now been updated following the county council election back in May and has also been extended to 2032 so that it is in-line with the political cycle.

“Securing the best start in life for young people is one of the priorities of the Progressive Partnership for Powys agreement,” said Cllr Roberts.

“We face a demographic drift of young people moving away from Powys, and particularly from our most rural communities. We need to ensure that through all the services that the council provides, and through our partnerships with others, we can secure the education, training, jobs and affordable homes that our young people need if they are to stay in our rural communities.

“Delivery of the Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys will be key to achieving this and I’m keen to ensure that the Transforming Education Programme continues at pace.

“We are at a time of significant change for education, both in Powys and across Wales, with the Curriculum for Wales due to be introduced from September 2022 onwards. This brings new opportunities, but also challenges, and it is essential that Powys schools and teachers are well equipped to provide the best possible opportunities for our young people.

“Change is never without its challenges and communities that are impacted should be at the centre of making those decisions.

“We are committed to putting learners at the heart of all we do, and will invite ideas from the community at the earliest stage we can as we develop specific proposals and by listening to the views of those affected by any changes, I’m confident that we can make better decisions, and can work together to deliver the change needed to ensure that young people brought up in Powys benefit from an education system which will enable them to compete with the best in the world.”

To read the updated Strategy for Transforming Education 2020-2032 and details of the Transforming Education Programme – Wave 2 (2022 – 2027) visit Transforming Education.

15 July 2022

A turf-cutting ceremony, marking the start of work on the building of a brand-new school for pupils with additional learning needs, has taken place.

Powys County Council and its contractor Wynne Construction has started to build the new replacement building for Ysgol Cedewain in Newtown.

The project is being funded by the Welsh Government, who will provide 75% of the project costs under its Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. The remaining 25% will be funded by the council.

The turf-cutting ceremony, which marked the official start of the works, took place on Wednesday, 13 July.

Attending the ceremony were representatives from Powys County Council, pupils and staff from Ysgol Cedewain and representatives from Wynne Construction, who are building the new school.

The new build will replace very poor accommodation at the current Ysgol Cedewain school, and will include facilities for very vulnerable learners, including a hydrotherapy pool, sensory and physiotherapy rooms and garden as well as a community café.

It will enable staff to teach in a learning environment that is fit-for-purpose, and for parents to have the confidence that their children are being supported within the best facilities and accommodation.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “I’m extremely pleased that work to build a new replacement school for Ysgol Cedewain has started.  This project will see the council provide a world-class facility for the county’s most vulnerable learners.

“I would like to thank the Welsh Government for the funding they are providing for this project, which will allow the council to provide an environment where teaching staff and thrive and give vulnerable learners the facilities that meets their needs, they benefit from and enables them to enjoy learning.”

Jeremy Miles, Minister for Education and Welsh Language, said: “We want to help provide children and young people across Wales with the best learning environments which will enable all our learners to thrive. I’m really pleased that, through our Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, we’re able to support this exciting new project at Ysgol Cedewain and I look forward to visiting once the new building is complete.”

Steve Davies, construction director at Wynne Construction, said: “We’re proud to be working once again with Powys County Council on the design and build of such a prestigious and important investment in the Additional Learning Needs provision at Ysgol Cedewain. 

“The delivery of this project expands on our vast experience in education and is the latest we have secured through the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme via the SEWSCAP3 Framework, following on from Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng in Welshpool.”

“The scheme is designed to deliver an outstanding education facility and inspiring environment that brings equal learning opportunities for all its pupils, as well as providing substantial opportunities via the National TOMs Framework for local contractors, apprenticeship opportunities, and additional social value-focused benefits to Newtown and the surrounding areas.”