EDUCATION CHIEFS at County Hall are celebrating following news that their plans for £8.37 million investment into Tenby primary schools have been approved.

The exciting proposals by Pembrokeshire County Council will result in two new schools: a new 3-11 English medium Voluntary Controlled Primary School in a brand new building, to be constructed next to the current Junior school; a new 3-11 Welsh medium Community Primary School on the site of the current Junior school.

The total cost of £8.37 million will be shared between the County Council and the Welsh Government’s 21st Century School programme.

“This is amazing news for Tenby,” said Councillor Ken Rowlands, Cabinet Member for Children and Schools.

“These two new schools will provide children in the area with the very best educational start in life.

“It also demonstrates the investment which County Council is determined to continue to make into the education and future of our young people.”

The proposals were approved by Huw Lewis, Minister for Education and Skills, who said: “The establishment of the new schools will promote a high standard of education provision, with purpose-built facilities for 21st century schools.”

His approval follows consultation by the County Council with parents, staff and governors of the Tenby VC Infants School and Tenby Junior Community School in 2012 and the publication of a Statutory Notice in 2013.

The Welsh Government also said the Minister was satisfied the local authority had dealt with the five objections satisfactorily. The new primary schools’ catchment areas will remain the same as the areas currently shared by the present schools. Planning permission will be sought for the new build for the English medium school, which will have capacity for 318 pupils.

The school will have a designated religious character and will maintain the role of the church in the provision of primary education in Tenby. It will have a two-classroom unit for children with Special Educational Needs, a 30-place nursery classroom and 15 places accommodated within a mixed nursery/reception classroom. There will also be provision for an early years’ playgroup. The capacity of the Welsh medium school will be 210 pupils, plus a 30-place nursery classroom, a quiet area and outdoor play facilities.

Major refurbishments took place in 2006, as a result of which all classrooms have direct access to the outside environment. Some remodelling will be required to accommodate the Foundation Phase pupils. The formation of a Welsh medium primary school comes as a result of a growing trend for Welsh medium education in the Tenby area and the strong record of progression to secondary Welsh Medium.

Tenby VC Infant and Tenby Junior Schools both offer a daily breakfast club and a number of lunchtime and after school clubs. It is proposed to continue this in the new schools, and it is anticipated that there will be potential to further develop the ‘wrap around care’ in the Tenby area. The proposals are due to be implemented with effect from August 31 2016.

From that date, pupils attending Tenby VC Infants School or Tenby Junior School will, subject to the expression of parental preference, transfer to either of the new schools.

The proposals are subject to the Council obtaining planning permission for the new or remodelled school buildings by 31st December 2014.