Children attend the first sod cutting ceremony of their new school in Bangor

Pupils from Ysgol y Garnedd, and Ysgol Coed Mawr and Glanadda, were present for the ‘sod cutting’ ceremony at the new school site.

It forms part of an exciting new scheme to reorganise the primary education provision in the Bangor area.

Councillor Gareth Thomas, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said:

“A new, state of the art school for Ysgol y Garnedd is an exciting beginning to the reorganisation of primary education in the Bangor area.

The increasing demand for places at the school has meant that the current structure is no longer suitable for their needs, and pupils will benefit from a new and modern facility. ”

The new school for Ysgol y Garnedd is part of a wider £12.7 million scheme which also includes increasing the capacity of nearby Ysgol y Faenol to 315 pupils. Ysgol y Faenol will be renovated and extended and work is due to start in the summer. Ysgol Coed Mawr and Ysgol Glanadda will close, with places for the pupils at either school due to the increase in capacity.

Pupils from Ysgol y Garnedd and Ysgol Coed Mawr a Glanadda were present as work started the site.

Dr Catrin Elis Williams, Ysgol Y Garnedd’s Chair of Governors and Llion Williams, Ysgol y Garnedd’s Heateacher added:

“This is a historical day for Ysgol Y Garnedd. The school’s staff and pupils have achieved fantastic work under difficult circumstances over the last few years, due to the current structure no longer being fit for purpose.

A larger, modern school will enable the school to build on its success and go from strength to strength.”

Alex Read, Director for Read Construction who are responsible for building the new school stated:

“Read are delighted to be working with Gwynedd Council on this prestigious project.

"Throughout the scheme, we will be working closely with the schools and community to celebrate project milestones and deliver maximum added value.”

The new school is due to open its doors in September 2020.