A new teaching block and sports hall will be built as part of a £7.2million refurbishment of a secondary school that two years ago was facing closure.
Powys council’s cabinet today agreed to the redevelopment of Gwernyfed High School but the the former Victorian Mansion House from which the Three Cocks comprehensive takes its name will no longer be used for teaching.
The project will see an existing teaching block reorganised and upgraded and a new teaching block built to meet 21st century schools standards. The work will also see a new sports hall built along with improvements to car parking and access at the premises.
The cabinet agreed to provide an additional £500,000 for the work taking the overall for the project cost to £7.2m but the option removes the need for using the Grade II listed Mansion House as teaching facility.
Cabinet Member for education, Councillor Myfanwy Alexander said; “This is a major investment to provide learners at Gwernyfed with the learning environment they deserve to support high-quality teaching and learning.”
The overhaul comes 18 months after Powys council dropped controversial plans, that met a fierce public backlash, to close Gwernyfed and transfer its 440 pupils to a new school building in Brecon instead.
When the cabinet opted against closure, in September 2016, in favour of building a replacement for Brecon High School, it also agreed to refurbish Gwernyfed.
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