The ‘incredible’ transformation of a Wrexham primary school has been hailed, after a visit to see its ongoing redevelopment.

Clwyd South MS Ken Skates was invited to see the progress being made on renovation work at Ysgol Yr Hafod, in Johnstown, which is being given a multimillion-pound makeover as part of the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools programme.

Mr Skates said: “The project is progressing really well - the school is going to look incredible when the work is completed. There’s a real buzz around the place and so much excitement among the staff and the team behind the rebuild.”

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When the new school year starts in September, infants and juniors will be taught on the same site, on Bangor Road, for the first time.

Mr Skates said: “It will almost be like a brand new school, not just for the current pupils but for future generations. Not only will the children have bigger, brighter new classrooms and much-improved facilities, but the kitchen is also being modernised to help the school roll out the Welsh Government’s policy of free school meals for all pupils by 2024.”

The project is being jointly funded alongside Wrexham Council. Mr Skates was shown around the site last week by headteacher Alison Heale, chair of governors Cllr David Bithell, Wrexham Council project leader Nick Bateman and site manager Liam Jones of Wynne Construction.

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He added: “Alison and her team have been working extremely hard to ensure the children’s education continues uninterrupted while the work is done, with mobile classrooms being installed and a temporary relocation of junior pupils from Bangor Road to the infants’ site in Melyd Avenue.

“As part of the plans a new multi-use games area has also been created, which already looks fantastic, and the school is keen to open it up for community use if possible. The community has been really supportive of the project, and there will be an open day later in the year to allow local residents and former pupils to see the transformation for themselves.

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“Everyone is excited about this, and I can’t wait to visit again in the autumn to see how the children are setting in to their new-look school.”

More than £20m has already been spent on improving school buildings in Clwyd South in the past few years as part of the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools initiative - the biggest school modernisation programme in Wales since the 1960s.

Local schools, including Ysgol Penycae and Ysgol Bro Dyfrdwy in Cynwyd, benefited during the first phase of investment, and Education Minister Jeremy Miles has said that are plans in the pipeline for Ysgol ID Hooson in Rhosllanerchrugog and a new primary school to replace St Mary’s in Brymbo.