Thank you for your letter of 11 April. My sincere apologies for the delay in responding, unfortunately the original letter was misdirected within our internal systems and only recently came to my attention.
I can confirm that Godre’rgraig Primary School is not currently included in the Sustainable Communities for Learning Nine-year Rolling Programme.
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council submitted a revised Strategic Outline Programme (SOP) under Band B of the Programme (2019-2024) in November 2023. This request involved the removal of the Ysgol Newydd Swansea Valley project and the inclusion of three new projects, one of which was a new school building for Godre’rgraig Primary School.
Whilst two of the projects were approved for inclusion in the SOP, the Godre’rgraig Primary School project was not in a position to be approved. This was due to concerns regarding the estimated cost of the project, as well as the potential impact on Welsh-medium education in an area of linguistic significance.
In January 2024, the Local Authority were asked to undertake a Welsh Language Impact Assessment (WLIA) and consider any necessary mitigating actions. I can confirm that the Welsh Language Impact Assessment and associated mitigating actions were received in April 2025.
While Godre’rgraig Primary School is not currently included in Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council’s nine-year rolling programme, the local authority retains the ability to amend its programme through a Strategic Outline Programme (SOP) variation. Further information on this process is available on our website: Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme | GOV.WALES
In the meantime, decisions regarding interim arrangements for the school, including the current temporary accommodation, are a matter for the local authority. I understand that the temporary facilities in place are of a high standard and were specifically procured to meet the needs of the learners.
With regards to the future, my senior officials are engaged with senior colleagues at the local authority to explore all available options. They have offered to work with them to support the identification of a sustainable, long-term solution.
I would like to reassure you that the wellbeing of learners remains my foremost priority. I am committed to working collaboratively with the local authority to ensure that the needs of learners at Godre’rgraig Primary School are met both now and in the future.
Yours sincerely,
Lynne Neagle AS/MS
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg Cabinet Secretary for Education
