Flintshire’s first new build Welsh medium school in more than two decades moves step closer

Flintshire has moved a step closer to getting its first newly built Welsh medium school in more than two decades.

The project is linked Flintshire Council’s strategy to increase the number of Welsh language speakers in the county and would replace the existing Ysgol Croes Atti building, located on Chester Road in the town.

If given the green light, it would be the first new Welsh medium school built by the local authority since its inception in 1996.

The replacement school will start with a capacity 240 pupils and a 30m place nursery but there will be room to expand provision to 420 pupils should this be required in the future.

Should planning consent be given, the new building will be constructed on land next to Ffordd Dewi in Oakenholt within the Croes Atti housing development area.

The planning application submitted on Wednesday, 15 December, is for a “two storey 240 FTE Place Welsh Medium Primary School building and 30 Place PTE Nursery.”

“New, partial two storey Wrap around childcare, Welsh Immersion and Community building.”

“Project associated external works, inclusive of boundary treatments, new pedestrian access points, new car parking arrangements and extended vehicular access off Ffordd Dewi.”

No further details on the plans have been uploaded to the Flintshire Council planning website as yet.

Flintshire County Council received a letter of approval from the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language during the summer approving their Welsh in Education Plan (WESP) for the period 2022-2032.

The purpose of the plan is to improve the planning and standard of Welsh medium education and the use of the Welsh language and make a positive contribution to the Welsh Government’s ambitious target of a million Welsh speakers by 2050.

Speaking in July, Flintshire County Council’s Leader and Cabinet Member for Education and Youth, Councillor Ian Roberts, said:

“Flintshire County Council believes that the Welsh Language belongs to everyone. We are committed to increasing the number of those who speak Welsh in the wider community, with the aim of creating an increasingly bilingual county and country.

“We want people of all ages to improve their Welsh language skills and have the ability to use these confidently in any situation – including at home, at work and in their communities.”

“We are playing our part in contributing to the delivery of the national target and are celebrating the letter from the Minister for Education and Welsh language approving our WESP.”

Flintshire County Council is committed to supporting, expanding and promoting Welsh-medium education to develop learners who are fully bilingual.  This is evident in the investment we have made, with partners including the Welsh Government.”