Powys County Council has appointed Kier as the preferred contractor for the proposed replacement building for Ysgol Calon Cymru in Llandrindod Wells.

The appointment is the latest step in the council's plans to provide a new school building and forms part of its Transforming Education in Powys strategy, which aims to improve learning environments across the county.

Kier will now work with the council, school leaders, governors and other stakeholders to develop detailed plans for the project under a design and build contract.

The council said the next phase will focus on designing a school that meets the educational needs of current and future generations of learners in Mid Powys.

Cabinet member for a Learning Powys, Cllr James Gibson-Watt, said: "This is an important step forward in our plans to deliver a new school building for Ysgol Calon Cymru and another significant milestone in our Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys.

"By investing in modern, sustainable learning environments, we are helping to improve learner experiences and outcomes while ensuring our school estate is fit for the future.

"The project also supports our vision for a Stronger, Fairer, Greener Powys by creating high-quality educational facilities that will benefit learners, staff and the wider community for many years to come. We look forward to working closely with Kier Construction Western & Wales, governors and stakeholders as the detailed design work progresses."

Chair of governors Cllr Gareth Jones welcomed the appointment, saying the governing body looked forward to working with Kier over the next 18 months as detailed designs for the replacement school are developed.

Ian Rees, regional director for Kier Construction Western & Wales, said the company was pleased to have been appointed by the council and highlighted its experience of delivering education projects across Wales.

He added that Kier is already working with the council on the new primary school project in Sennybridge and said the company looked forward to helping develop proposals for a "future-ready learning environment".

The replacement school is expected to provide flexible, inclusive and sustainable learning spaces designed to support the Curriculum for Wales and the changing needs of pupils, staff and the wider school community.