An education project could breathe new life into a former infants’ school site – transforming it into a modern learning environment for up to 40 secondary school age pupils.
The scheme involves remodelling and refurbishing the old Ysgol Yr Hafod infants’ site on Melyd Avenue in Johnstown, to support the move of students currently educated at the Haulfan Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) on Rhosddu Road in Wrexham.
Councillor Phil Wynn, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Education, said: “The site on Rhosddu Road is far from ideal, as it has very limited access to outside space and no green space at all.
“In contrast, the site on Melyd Avenue could be adapted to create a much better learning environment for the pupils, with access to outside space, green space and the potential for future expansion and improvements to the buildings.
“This would have huge benefits for all students at Haulfan, and it would also make it easier for students and staff to travel to other PRU sites, like Stiwdio Pen-y-Cae.”
Sensible option
Last year, Ysgol yr Hafod moved all of its pupils to its newly extended and modernised site on Bangor Road – vacating the infants’ site on Melyd Avenue.
Councillor David Bithell, Chair of Governors at Ysgol yr Hafod, said: “This seems like a good way to breathe new life into the site, and it would benefit up to 40 young people from across the county borough.
“There’s ample parking, and while there may be some increased noise levels, it wouldn’t be any more than people were accustomed to when Ysgol yr Hafod infants’ was based there.
“The building has been unused since we moved the children to Bangor Road, so it seems sensible to try and bring it back into use as an education site.”
The proposals will be further developed in the coming months by Wrexham Council’s education department, although any change is unlikely to take effect until next year.
