Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council along with Morgan Sindall Construction and representatives from the School has marked the start of construction on the new £53 million Llangatwg Community School in Cadoxton, Neath, with a ceremonial turf cutting.
The ceremony, held on Monday 13 July, was attended by Councillor Stephen Hunt, Leader of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council; Councillor Nia Jenkins, Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years; Councillor Jeremy Hurley, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economic Growth; Mrs Lauren Mackie, Headteacher; and Mr Rob Shaw, Assistant Headteacher, celebrating the beginning of a major investment in education for Neath Port Talbot.
Appointed by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council through the South West Wales Regional Contractors Framework (SWWRCF), the new school will replace the existing buildings, which were previously rated Category C- for condition. Once complete in spring 2029, the development will provide modern, high-quality educational facilities for up to 850 students.
The new school has been designed to provide students with a modern learning environment, featuring general teaching classrooms, specialist design and technology facilities, hairdressing and construction classrooms, and a sports hall. External facilities will include a full-size 3G rugby pitch, a junior 3G football pitch, a three-court multi-use games area and a specialist 100-metre sprint track.
Constructed using a traditional steel frame with brickwork and cladding elevations, the building has been designed to provide a durable, high-quality learning environment for generations to come. Morgan Sindall is delivering the project alongside an integrated design team comprising Curtins consultants, Troup Bywaters + Anders engineering, and Austin Smith Lord design.
Sustainability is at the heart of the development. Roof areas have been maximised for photovoltaic solar panels, while air source heat pumps will be installed throughout, enabling the building to operate at Net Zero Carbon on completion and achieve an EPC A rating.
To calculate and reduce embodied carbon throughout construction, Morgan Sindall will undertake the 10 Tonne Carbon Challenge, working alongside consultants and the supply chain to identify intelligent solutions that reduce carbon emissions by a minimum of 10 tonnes. In partnership with K2N, the project team will also monitor energy and water consumption throughout construction.
The development has also been carefully designed to retain elements of the existing school. Reclaimed bricks and feature timber panelling from the current main hall will be incorporated into the new building, while an existing stream running through the site will be transformed from a concrete channel into a naturalised swale to enhance biodiversity.
Externally, the project will include a 90-space car park, incorporating dedicated car and bus drop-off and pick-up facilities.
Robert Williams, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Wales, said: “Breaking ground at Llangatwg Community School marks the beginning of an exciting project that will deliver first-class educational facilities for the young people of Neath Port Talbot.
“We're proud to be working alongside Neath Port Talbot Council and our design partners to bring this vision to life, and we're committed to leaving a lasting, positive legacy for the local community throughout every stage of delivery.”
Councillor Nia Jenkins, Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years, said: “Breaking ground on the new Llangatwg Community School is an exciting moment for the community. This investment will provide modern, inclusive facilities that support high-quality teaching and learning, while also creating a valuable resource for residents. It was wonderful to see how excited the children are for the new development.”
