A new primary school for pupils in Abertillery will be named the Six Bells Campus following a public vote and pupil involvement.
The new school is a part of the Abertillery Learning Community (ALC) and will replace the existing Bryngwyn and Queen Street schools, providing modern learning facilities for over 300 children.
The Learning Community asked pupils, parents and the wider community to suggest names for the school and three were shortlisted:
• Six Bells Campus
• Arael Griffin Campus
• Guardian Campus
The community were then asked to vote on these names through the school and via an online poll on the ALC website. It was a close result with Six Bells Campus winning by a narrow margin. A total of 1,165 votes were cast.
This significant investment into educational facilities in the area has been made possible through the 21st Century Schools Programme, which provides funding for school improvements from the Welsh Government and Blaenau Gwent Council.
The school is being built by contractor Morgan Sindall. Building works are progressing well. The steel frame is now complete; roof works are nearing completion; ground floor and first floor slabs are complete and external wall framing has commenced. The school is on schedule to be finished this summer, ready for pupils to move in from September.
Interim Principal of Abertillery Learning Community, John Wilson said:
“I am very pleased that the wider community has had the opportunity to be involved in the naming of the new campus. The staff and pupils are enjoying their involvement in lots of activities with Morgan Sindall in preparation for the move into these new facilities and we look forward to working with the wider community on future initiatives relating to the new site.”
Cllr Clive Meredith, the Council’s Executive Member for Education, said:
“The new school will provide children and young people in the area with the first class, modern educational facilities they deserve. We are delighted that the pupils and the local community were involved with the naming as I know the schools value their links with the community and are looking to continue this when they move into their new home.”