Morgan Sindall Construction has completed work on Rhondda Cynon Taf’s new £10.2 million Hirwaun Primary School.

The Morgan Sindall Construction team completed work on the new main building last November, allowing pupils and staff to move in. In the months since, the site team has demolished the old school structures and created two Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAs), a grass sports field, bike storage, and a car park. They have also created a large wildlife area that will be used as a teaching space to help children to interact with nature.

Located on Glanant Street, the new Hirwaun Primary School was commissioned by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council (RCT) to replace the existing school's aging facilities. The new building now supports 210 vital additional school and nursery spaces. It has the capacity to extend to accommodate double that number to meet future demand.

The project was procured through the third-iteration of the four-year, £1 billion South East and Mid Wales Collaborative Construction Framework (SEWSCAP). Morgan Sindall Construction was appointed to all four lots it tendered for on the framework in 2019, having successfully delivered projects through SEWSCAP since its first iteration in 2010. The scheme was jointly funded by RCT Council and Welsh Government through their 21st Century Schools and Colleges programme.

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In keeping with Morgan Sindall Construction's commitment to eliciting social value for the communities in which it operates. 21 new-entrant construction jobs were also created through the scheme, as well as 10 new-entrant apprenticeships.

The single-storey main building measures 28,158 square feet. Designed by the architect, Boyes Rees Architects, the building's layout forms a unique ‘L’ shape, to create distinct learning spaces for foundation phase and junior pupils.

Inside the building are 14 classrooms, a community room and a separate childcare setting for pre-nursery children. There is also an assembly hall, featuring acoustic boards in various colours, which doubles as a dining area and sports area. Staff amenities include a reception area with a headteacher’s office, toilet facilities and a large staff room.

Sustainable construction: some of the features of the project

100% of environmental waste generated during construction was diverted from landfill, and the new build has been rated 'Excellent' by the sustainability assessment method, BREEAM. As part of its environmentally friendly design, PV-solar panels have been installed on the school’s roof. In addition, a storage tank has been installed underground for green-water harvesting. This can store up to 50,000 litres of rainwater and is being used as a sustainable drainage option for the school’s toilets.

Construction began on the school in September 2019, with the project handing over on time, despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. All building work was carried out in line with guidelines set out by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).