A school in South Wales is preparing to move into a new home, with work now complete on the building's steel structure.

The new £27 million build for Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School in Neath will comprise of 56 state-of-the-art classrooms, spread across a two-storey, 97,000 square foot building. These will include creative workspaces, music and art rooms, and SEND facilities available for students with additional learning needs.

It will boast a number of sporting facilities available for use by the community; with plans for four MUGA courts, an activity studio, and a 3G pitch. Parking for both vehicles and cycling will also be built.

Located at Afan Valley Road, in Cimla, construction has been taking place alongside the existing school, which will be demolished upon completion.

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Main contractor Morgan Sindall Construction held a steel signing ceremony this week to celebrate the erection of the building's new steel frame.

Attending the ceremony were representatives from Neath Port Talbot Council, including leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Rob Jones.

Rob Williams, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: "We're incredibly pleased to celebrate this milestone with the local authority. Work is progressing well and the finished school will provide an inspiring modern learning environment."

Neath Port Talbot Council's Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Culture, Councillor Peter Rees, added: "As a council we pledged to provide each and every child in the county borough with the opportunity to access education in schools which are fit for the 21st Century. Our programme has been very ambitious but we are determined to provide our young people with every chance we can to enable them to fulfil their true potential in life."

The scheme has been procured through the South West Wales Regional Contractors framework, and is being delivered under the auspices of the Welsh Government's 21st Century Schools Programme.

Work has now begun on the roofing and structural framing system for the building, to be handed over in May 2021. The overall project is expected to complete in early 2022, following demolition of the existing school.

(CM/MH)