Eco-friendly Cwmbran school construction phase completed
Morgan Sindall Construction finished the first part of its new build for Maendy Primary School in Cwmbran on May 27.
The new development will replace the old school building, which will be demolished next year.
The two-storey structure, which will accommodate 420 pupils over 16 classrooms, will be net zero carbon in operation.
The May completion date saw the construction team deliver the main school building, rear playground, multi-use games area, and individual play zones, all of which have now been handed over to the council.
The project was started in March 2024 and will be completed in January 2026.
The final part of the construction project will see the demolition of the old school building and the creation of a new access road, a car park with electric vehicle charging points, sports fields, and a dedicated Forest School area.
The building was designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent certification and has 700 square metres of solar PV panels on its southern roof pitch, contributing to its net zero carbon in operation status.
The project has taken on Morgan Sindall Construction's '10 Tonne Carbon Challenge' and has already achieved a saving of 10.3 tonnes of CO₂e.
Notable initiatives include using reusable Kentledge blocks instead of traditional concrete foundations for site hoarding – a solution that allows for movement between phases without requiring new foundations.
The project has also involved the local community, with Morgan Sindall engaging pupils through educational activities, such as assemblies, construction site safety sessions, and Carbon Literacy and sustainable design workshops for Years 5 and 6.
The company is further supporting the school through its sponsorship of the Healthy Dragons initiative, delivered in partnership with the Dragons RFC Community Team.
The programme promotes wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, and confidence-building among pupils.
The team has also donated materials for the creation of hedgehog houses, now in place within the school's Forest School area, enhancing opportunities for environmental learning and wildlife conservation.
An internal drop-off area is also being developed to alleviate existing roadside congestion during peak times.
Robert Williams, area director for Morgan Sindall in Wales, said: "We're making excellent progress on the new Maendy Primary School, which will provide a high-quality, sustainable learning environment for children in Cwmbran.
"The successful handover of Phase 1, the main school building, marks a significant milestone in our journey to deliver net zero carbon buildings that promote both educational achievement and environmental responsibility.
"Our engagement with pupils throughout the build has been particularly rewarding.
"Initiatives like the Carbon Literacy workshops not only enrich the curriculum but help inspire the next generation to consider careers in construction and understand the importance of sustainable practices."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Eco-friendly Cwmbran school construction phase completed
Morgan Sindall Construction finished the first part of its new build for Maendy Primary School in Cwmbran on May 27. The new development will replace the old school building, which will be demolished next year. The two-storey structure, which will accommodate 420 pupils over 16 classrooms, will be net zero carbon in operation. The May completion date saw the construction team deliver the main school building, rear playground, multi-use games area, and individual play zones, all of which have now been handed over to the council. The project was started in March 2024 and will be completed in January 2026. The final part of the construction project will see the demolition of the old school building and the creation of a new access road, a car park with electric vehicle charging points, sports fields, and a dedicated Forest School area. The building was designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent certification and has 700 square metres of solar PV panels on its southern roof pitch, contributing to its net zero carbon in operation status. The project has taken on Morgan Sindall Construction's '10 Tonne Carbon Challenge' and has already achieved a saving of 10.3 tonnes of CO₂e. Notable initiatives include using reusable Kentledge blocks instead of traditional concrete foundations for site hoarding – a solution that allows for movement between phases without requiring new foundations. The project has also involved the local community, with Morgan Sindall engaging pupils through educational activities, such as assemblies, construction site safety sessions, and Carbon Literacy and sustainable design workshops for Years 5 and 6. The company is further supporting the school through its sponsorship of the Healthy Dragons initiative, delivered in partnership with the Dragons RFC Community Team. The programme promotes wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, and confidence-building among pupils. The team has also donated materials for the creation of hedgehog houses, now in place within the school's Forest School area, enhancing opportunities for environmental learning and wildlife conservation. An internal drop-off area is also being developed to alleviate existing roadside congestion during peak times. Robert Williams, area director for Morgan Sindall in Wales, said: "We're making excellent progress on the new Maendy Primary School, which will provide a high-quality, sustainable learning environment for children in Cwmbran. "The successful handover of Phase 1, the main school building, marks a significant milestone in our journey to deliver net zero carbon buildings that promote both educational achievement and environmental responsibility. "Our engagement with pupils throughout the build has been particularly rewarding. "Initiatives like the Carbon Literacy workshops not only enrich the curriculum but help inspire the next generation to consider careers in construction and understand the importance of sustainable practices."
Western Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Western Telegraph
Portfield School pupils leave their mark on new building
The students attended a 'topping-out' ceremony to celebrate the completion of the highest point of their new school building. At the event, they had the chance to sign one of the first steel beams and leave handprints on a wall, symbolising their integral role in the school community and the promising future ahead. The event was hosted by Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd and attended by staff, pupils, governors, senior council officers, and project team members. Headteacher Sarah Hartley said: "We were thrilled to involve our pupils in this important moment. "The new building represents a new chapter for Portfield School, and it's wonderful that our children could be part of its foundations." Councillor Guy Woodham, the council's cabinet member for education and the Welsh language, expressed his satisfaction with the progress. He said: "Whilst I was unable to attend the event myself, my colleagues have shared with me their experience of the event, and the excellent progress being made on the new building at the school. "This development will provide much needed modern, inclusive accommodation for the learners, and I am particularly pleased that the project remains on budget, and on programme, which means that Portfield School will be in a position to move into the building in December 2025." Pupils shared their excitement about the event. One said: "We had to wear protective clothing before entering the building site. "Being able to write my name on one of the walls in the new building was really cool. "I am very grateful to have been chosen to write my name in the new build, it is extremely cool. "Even though I am leaving this year, my name will be there forever." The project is being funded by the Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council as part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Capital programme.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- BBC News
Norwich castle confirms summer opening after years of delays
Renovations to Norwich Castle Museum are due to end, almost two years after a projected finish date. Work to refurbish the castle's Norman keep began in 2020 but was held up by the pandemic. Dr Tim Pestell, senior curator of archaeology, confirmed the finishing touches were being carried out and objects were ready to be installed in the museum for a summer 2025 opening. "It has been an absolute marathon," he said. Dr Pestell said the castle was only two months away from reopening. "We will open this summer. We are on the final stretch," he said."The display cases are nearly all in now. We have builders doing their tidying up work, ready to come out, and we have the objects ready to be installed. They are being pinned on their backing boards." The project has faced many delays, including some caused by the Covid-19 were problems in obtaining steel, due to the war in Ukraine. In March 2022, the project's contractor Morgan Sindall told the BBC work would be completed by the end of 2023, but more problems arose. Hidden Norman and Victorian features were discovered and a leaking roof needed to be replaced, causing it to miss a revised target of reopening last summer. Named Royal Palace Reborn, the project has included restoring the original floor levels in the keep and recreating the great hall and the apartments of Norman kings. A new gallery of medieval life was also part of the castle has just acquired what is believed to be the largest collection of 7th Century gold coins found in Britain. The collection includes 129 coins, featuring 118 different designs, that were found by two metal detectorists in a west Norfolk field between 2014 and 2020. Dr Pestell said: "It will be an incredible relief to see that open. It has been an absolute marathon, as it has been for all of the members of our team, but it's going to be amazing. "It's going to be well, well worth the wait." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
