THE main steel frame of a new £43m school is being erected ahead of pupils moving into the building in September 2018.

The demolition of the old buildings, site engineering and logistical work have now prepared the way for the new Monmouth Comprehensive School to start to take shape.

Some of the demolished old buildings date back to the end of the Second World War, and pupils are currently being taught in temporary classrooms while the work takes place.

The new school is being constructed under the 21st Century Schools and Education Programme – jointly funded by the Welsh Government and Monmouthshire County Council - and is part of an initiative that is also delivering the new £31m secondary school in Caldicot, which will be ready at the start of the new academic year this September.

Originally costed at £33m in 2014, the Monmouth project is now costing £10m more, with another £6.6m going on restructuring the town’s leisure centre, which includes an integrated replacement for the de-

molished standalone swimming pool.

The new three-storey school building will bring all the 11 to 18-year-old students and staff together under one roof to improve connectivity and learning integration, with space for 1,600 pupils.

It will have a piazza and a library at the front with staff parking moved to the top northern edge of the site.

Monmouthshire’s cabinet member for children and young people, Cllr Richard John said: “I’m delighted to witness such great progress as we look forward to the launch of this state-of-the-art learning facility for Monmouth and the surrounding area.

“The 21st Century Schools Programme is not just about bricks and mortar – it’s more than that. It’s also about adding value to the local community and economy through its Community Benefits Pro-

gramme. 

“Our contracting partner, Interserve Construction PLC, is working together with the council, members of the local community and the school to identify opportunities through the programme which include local projects and apprenticeships as well as training and vocational opportunities.”