Contractor named for South Wales zero carbon teaching block

Kier has been appointed by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council to build a new £25M net zero carbon teaching block in south Wales.

The Hawthorn All-Through School project will deliver new facilities for staff and pupils from Heol y Celyn English Medium Primary, Hawthorn Primary and Hawthorn High.

It has been designed to achieve net zero carbon in operation though the installation of onsite renewable energy sources, such as air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels alongside the purchase of renewable electricity from an energy supplier.

Three of the school’s existing buildings will be demolished to make way for the new teaching block. One of these buildings is the old caretaker’s house and the stone from the Victorian building will be used in the building of the new block.

The new block will include 27 classrooms, a staff room, offices, reception area, therapy room, library, ICT suite, meeting rooms and music areas alongside two new multi-use games areas.

Jason Taylor, Regional Director at Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: “This project presents a unique opportunity to provide not one, but three schools with state-of-the-art facilities which will be a significant asset to the community of Pontypridd for generations to come.

“With the recently completed Ffynnon Taf Primary School just 10 minutes down the road using a nearby hot spring to heat its classrooms, this project further demonstrates our commitment to providing sustainable buildings in south Wales.”

Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Education, added: “I’m delighted that Kier has been appointed as the main contractor to deliver this fantastic school development for Hawthorn. This is part of our wider £75.6M education investment across the Greater Pontypridd area, in partnership with Welsh
Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.

Procured through the SEWSCAP framework, work is expected to be completed in 2025.