Construction has begun on a new £29m Welsh-medium primary school in Neath Port Talbot, with Morgan Sindall Construction appointed to deliver the project on behalf of Neath Port Talbot Council.

The start of works on Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Rhosafan was marked by a turf-cutting ceremony attended by local officials and project partners, alongside a performance from pupils to celebrate the milestone.

The development will provide 420 school places for children aged three to 11, including 90 nursery places, 12 additional learning needs (ALN) places and 16 places within a dedicated Welsh Immersion Unit. Delivered through the South West Wales Regional Contractors Framework, the project will be completed in two phases, with completion scheduled for 2028.

The new school will include 14 classrooms, specialist ALN facilities, a childcare and nursery provision, and a range of community spaces such as training rooms, meeting rooms and a dance studio. External works will feature multi-use games areas, landscaped spaces, a Forest School area and sustainable drainage solutions.

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A key design feature is a two-storey steel-frame structure alongside a single-storey timber-frame building, incorporating a covered 'winter garden' space intended to support outdoor learning throughout the year.

The project forms part of the Welsh Government's Sustainable Schools Challenge, which aims to deliver net zero carbon schools through collaboration with learners, staff and communities. The scheme is one of three pilot projects selected under the initiative.

Designed to achieve BREEAM 'Outstanding' and net zero carbon in operation, the school will incorporate renewable energy technologies including photovoltaic panels and an air source heat pump system, alongside energy-efficient building management systems.

Morgan Sindall will also implement its '10 Tonne Challenge' on the project, working with partners to reduce carbon emissions during construction. The scheme will additionally deliver social value through apprenticeships, work placements and educational site visits for local schools and colleges.

Robert Williams, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Wales, said: "It's fantastic to start the construction of Rhosafan Welsh Medium Primary School. This is a project we've been looking forward to getting underway, and it's the result of a lot of collaboration with Neath Port Talbot Council and the wider team to craft a forward-thinking design that will deliver meaningful benefits.

"As we begin construction, we're focused on creating a welcoming, sustainable school that will support Welsh-medium learning and become a valued part of the local community for many years to come."