Construction has officially begun on a new £9.6 million primary school in Sennybridge after a turf-cutting ceremony marked the start of work on site.

Sennybridge C.P. School will be replaced with a 120-place, energy-efficient building designed to provide modern facilities for pupils from the Foundation Phase through to the end of Key Stage 2, with early years childcare also included on site.

The project is being delivered by Powys County Council and contractor Kier, with 65 per cent of construction costs funded by the Welsh Government, alongside an additional £500,000 for net zero carbon elements. The remaining 35 per cent is being met by the council.

The new school will replace the existing building and is intended to provide improved teaching and learning spaces.

Cllr James Gibson Watt, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “This was a proud and exciting moment for the whole school community. The turf‑cutting ceremony marks the start of a project that will make a real and lasting difference to children growing up in the area.

“Delivering modern, high‑quality learning environments like this is a central part of our Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys. The new school will provide inspiring spaces that support teaching, learning and pupil wellbeing, while also meeting our commitment to sustainability through energy‑efficient, future‑focused design.

“This investment reflects our wider ambition for a Stronger, Fairer, Greener Powys – creating a school that supports educational excellence, promotes equality of opportunity and reduces environmental impact for generations to come.”

Keri Lynne Harry, Headteacher of Sennybridge C.P. School, said: “This is a hugely exciting moment for our school and the whole Sennybridge community. Seeing work begin on our new school marks the start of a bright new chapter for our children, families and future generations.

“For many years, our current school has been at the heart of the community, creating memories and supporting generations of pupils. This new building will build on that proud history by providing a modern, inspiring and inclusive environment where every child can feel valued, supported and encouraged to achieve their full potential.

“Our children deserve the very best opportunities to learn, grow and thrive, and these fantastic new facilities will help us create an environment that reflects those ambitions. The focus on wellbeing, sustainability and high-quality learning will benefit not only our pupils, but the wider community for years to come.

“We are incredibly grateful to Powys County Council, the Welsh Government and Kier for their support and investment in the future of Sennybridge. We cannot wait to see our pupils walk through the doors of a school that has been designed with their futures at its heart.”

Ian Rees, regional director for Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: “This project represents a significant investment in the future of education in Sennybridge, and we are proud to be playing our part in bringing it to life.

“Working with Powys County Council and Sennybridge C.P. School, we’re delivering a modern, sustainable building that will create bright, energy-efficient spaces to support learning for generations to come.

“The turf-cutting ceremony marks a key milestone in the project and we are looking forward to progressing the construction on site over the coming months.”