Pen-Y-Fai Primary School

Opened in October 2013, the new Pen-Y-Fai Church in Wales Primary School, near Bridgend, is a £4.3 million redevelopment of the original school. As well as a complete refurbishment of the hall and classrooms, the school features a new nursery unit, music room and reception class.

Funded by Bridgend County Borough Council and the Welsh Government, the delivery of the project was a team approach involving the school, the students, the council and many other stakeholders.

From the outset the school was designed to be environmentally friendly, with the installation of solar hot water systems and motion sensitive lights. In addition, Senior’s thermally efficient windows doors and curtain walling were specified throughout to keep heating bills to a minimum.

A novel feature of the new school was the use of Senior’s fibreglass windows in the classrooms, indoor play areas and offices. Extremely strong and easily repairable, Senior Fibre windows give excellent durability and have an extended lifespan of around 40 years, making them an ideal choice for a bustling school like Pen-Y-Fai. And because fibreglass is a natural insulator the fibre windows also boast outstanding thermal performance and top class acoustic rating.

David Harris, the Welsh division managing director of main contractors Cowlin Construction said he was particularly pleased “to deliver such a wonderful facility for the community and specifically the children within it.” He also said that he had relished the opportunity to involve students in the delivery of the school and hoped that it would encourage them to aim for careers in construction.

Visiting the school, Councillor Mike Gregory, cabinet member for children and young people, said “this really is set to be a school fit for modern, 21st century learning”