Funding for major school investments almost £1 billion over 20 years

Cabinet has been provided with an update on the huge investment in modern school facilities that the Council and Welsh Government have made since 2014, and proposes to make in the period up to 2033. This cumulative investment over a 20-year period will total almost £1 billion – an unprecedented level of funding for our young people.

A report to Cabinet on Monday, September 22, details the huge investment delivered across Band A, Band B, and early development of the next tranche of nine future projects – totalling £505 million to date. A £414 million funding package is agreed in principle to deliver the new projects, with extra funding set aside for the period up to 2033 and other complementary funding initiatives. The cumulative total over this period (2014-2033) is £988 million.

Schools that have benefitted from the Band A and Band B investment, along with those to benefit under the future upcoming projects, are included at the bottom of this update. Monday’s report also provided an update on several Welsh Government grant programmes that local schools have benefitted from – which are continuing into the future. Further details are also included below.

Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said: “This incredible level of investment for schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf started in 2014 under the 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme, and has gone from strength to strength ever since. We’ve delivered 22 first-class developments across Band A and Band B in partnership with Welsh Government – and this year we’ve received approval in principle for further major projects to come.

“This is a staggering continued effort from everyone concerned – representing a total investment of almost £1 billion in our young people over a 20-year period. This is an unprecedented level, and is testament to the hard work of officers and the strength of our partnership with Welsh Government.

“Monday’s Cabinet report also provides an important progress update on the nine exciting new projects that will be delivered in the years ahead, with construction work already underway on flagship projects in Clydach Vale and Glyn-coch. There will also be an important focus on Welsh Medium education, with planned projects at Ysgol Cwm Rhondda, Ysgol Llanhari, and a new Welsh Medium School for Llanilid. Officers will continue to keep residents informed about the nine progressing projects across Rhondda Cynon Taf over the months ahead.”

The following schools received Band A and Band B funding under the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme (formerly 21st Century Schools Programme), while the next tranche of investment is also listed:

Band A projects – Aberdare Community School, Treorchy Primary, Y Pant, Treorchy Comprehensive, Ysgol Nant Gwyn, Porth Community School, Ferndale Community School, Tonyrefail Community School, Cymmer Primary, YGG Tonyrefail, Cwmaman Primary.

Band B projects – Hirwaun Primary, YGG Aberdar, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Rhydywaun, Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive, Llanilltud Faerdref Primary, Penygawsi Primary, Ysgol Awel Taf, Ysgol Bro Taf, Ysgol Afon Wen, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn y Forwyn, Pontyclun Primary.

Next tranche of projects – New ALN school in Clydach Vale, new school for Glyn-coch, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Cwm Rhondda, Ysgol Llanhari, Penrhys Primary, St Jogn Baptist CIW High School in Aberdare, Buarth y Capel in Ynysybwl, new Welsh Medium School in Llanilid, Abernant Primary.

The Council has also been successful in securing important, targeted funding from other Welsh Government education funding avenues – as shown below:

The Community Focused Schools Capital Grant, through which the Council has secured around £3 million funding over the past three years. This has been invested in creating and improving facilities, allowing more schools to engage and deliver more services in collaboration with community groups and multi-agency partners. New funding of £1.65 million has recently been secured through the grant, and will enable a further nine projects to be delivered this financial year (2025/26).

The Childcare and Early Years Small Capital Grants Scheme, which has supported 176 Care Inspectorate Wales-registered childcare facilities since April 2022, through a total investment of £1.4 million. It helps the childcare settings undertake essential capital works, or to purchase equipment that enables them to strengthen their childcare offer. A new funding window has recently opened for applications.

A larger childcare capital investment programme, through which the Council has secured £3.5 million in the last two years. Four projects have delivered brand new or improved childcare options to date – enabling more children to attend Welsh Medium settings in Beddau and Penderyn, and English Medium settings in Mountain Ash and Hawthorn. New business cases are being drafted for future schemes.

The ALN Capital Grant, through which the Council has secured almost £5 million over the past three years, delivering enhancements at mainstream schools, learning support classes, ALN schools, and pupil referral units. Notably, local projects have increased accommodation and improved facilities for Ysgol Hen Felin, Park Lane and Buarth y Capel – while a new three-classroom extension at Maesgwyn Special School opened in September 2025. An additional £1.6 million has been secured from this grant for the current financial year (2025/26).

CBC – RCT

Click here for the original article

Thursday 2nd October 2025