YSGOL Bro Gwaun’s £10.5 million pound extension plans went on public display last week.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s education department and architects, Stride Treglown held a drop-in session at the school on Monday, December 14, with officers on hand to answer questions and take feedback from the school and local community.

The new development aims to provide a 21st century learning environment in Fishguard for 11 to 16 year olds.

The proposed development will see the school’s existing hall and gymnasium retained along with the design technology block, which is only about 10 years old. The rest of the building will be demolished and replaced by a brand new three storey teaching block. This will include the creation of a Learning Resource Centre and a Portfield School Satellite Unit, plus new community learning facilities.

The investment would be made as part of the 21st century schools programme, which is supported by the Welsh Government.

Steve Jones, Pembrokeshire County Council’s 21st Century Schools programme manager, said: “I think this is a very exciting project, not just for the school but also the Fishguard community.

“There’s a big investment here from the local authority and also the Welsh Government in providing a 21st century school for the community. The investment will make a huge contribution to education outcomes and learner performance.

“In terms of the plans, we want to make sure it’s a very welcoming school, with a warm and vibrant learning environment for pupils.”

Mr Jones added that should everything go to plan, they will be submitting a planning application at the end of January. And should that be approved, construction will start on the site in 2016, with work being complete by September 2017.

Ysgol Bro Gwaun headteacher Nerys Nicholas said: “It is very exciting. We have worked closely with Pembrokeshire County Council and the architects in Cardiff to come up with the plans.

“We are now looking forward to seeing it all realised from the summer onwards, with all our pupils getting the learning opportunities that they are entitled to.”