Welsh Government approves new building for Powys school
As Powys County Council is planning to build a new school tom replace Brynllywarch Hall School's current building, the proposal will be moving forward after a full business case was approved by the Welsh Government.
The council have said that the new school, located in Kerry near Newtown, will 'transform education for vulnerable learners' as the school provides education for pupils from 8 to 19-year-olds, with a wide range of complex emotional, behavioural and social difficulties.
Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: 'I'm delighted that the Welsh Government has approved our full business case to replace the current Brynllywarch Hall School building. Their decision represents another huge investment in our school infrastructure and will enable construction of the new school building to start.
'The existing building no longer offers a suitable environment for the teaching and support requirements of pupils with significant behavioural, emotional or social difficulties.
'The new school for Brynllywarch would provide an environment where teaching staff can thrive and provide pupils with the facilities that enable their needs to be met their needs giving them a more enjoyable and fulfilling educational experience.'
In January 2025 it was reported that the cost of building the new 84 pupil school for Brynllywarch Hall had risen by £3.5 million since the original £9.1 million estimate in 2020.
The business case approved by the Welsh Government was submitted after the council's Cabinet gave the go-ahead in February and is the last of the series of three business cases the council is required to prepare to secure capital funding for new build projects.
The Welsh Government will contribute 75% of the funding for the new building through its Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, while the rest will be funded by the council.
The council added that when completed the 'community focussed' school will include specialist support and provision for pupils with challenging behaviour, emotional and social difficulties in a modern and innovative learning environment.
The council also said that the new school will have learning spaces to deliver the new national curriculum, specialist equipment to support teaching and learning outcomes, as well as a fully equipped class base and outdoor learning area.
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